by Dani Wade
“Yes,” she said, finally meeting his gaze. “I have known all along, Paxton.”
“And once again, you chose not to tell me?”
Willow answered. “You’d never have given her a job in the first place.”
Another cold shock wave washed over him. “So, you knew before you came to work for me?”
“I did know, but it wasn’t important because my family didn’t do it.”
“Like hell they didn’t.”
Both women took to their feet at that point, speaking over each other. Paxton waved it all away and focused solely on Ivy.
“You could have told me at any time, but you didn’t because...why would you even come to work for me when you knew...”
He wasn’t buying her broken expression or her silence.
“Did you think if I knew that I would have come within ten feet of you?”
Confirmation of what he’d said came in the expression on her face, in the crocodile tears that trickled down her creamy cheeks. “I needed a job...well, wanted a good job. Yours was a great opportunity. I didn’t think you would ever know.”
“Now I do,” Paxton said, letting his anger free as he leaned in close to her face. “You’re right... I wouldn’t touch a Kane if you paid me.”
He turned on his heel and made a beeline for the door, his hard steps accompanied by furious whispers and quiet sobs. But he ignored it all as he shot back over his shoulder.
“There’s something you might want to remember, dear Ivy—my family would be more than happy to run yours out of town for a second time.”
* * *
“I don’t know, Tate,” Ivy said as she stared at the modern-fairy-tale facade of Paxton’s house. “I don’t want it to look like I’m throwing around my family’s new connections.”
She’d never seen Paxton so angry before, even when he’d learned about the baby. The very intensity of his emotions had frozen her in place.
He’d stormed out last night, leaving Ivy stranded at Auntie’s house. Her sisters had consoled her with chocolate and ginger ale, since she shouldn’t have wine, but she was determined to talk to him today, especially before he contacted the family lawyer about custody. It was a weekend, but she doubted the lawyer would refuse calls from him at any time. With as many connections as the McLemores had, they probably had their attorney’s home number on speed dial.
But as she sat in the driveway, she second-guessed her decision to come here with Tate. Even after such a short time, the house looked like it was waiting for her. So perfect. And now everything had fallen apart. What good would convincing Paxton of her family’s innocence do?
All she knew was that she couldn’t leave things the way they’d ended last night.
Paxton didn’t look any happier when he opened the door for them. “Have you come to get your stuff? Or just to spread more lies?”
Tate stepped into view. He didn’t have to say anything, just stand firm.
Paxton glanced between them. “Back-up?”
Tate shrugged. “Call it whatever you want. But let’s have a civil discussion before any decisions are made.”
For a moment Ivy thought Paxton would refuse. But he finally stepped back and let them inside.
She followed him into one of the front rooms, staring at his stiff back. Then he turned to brace himself. Arms crossed over his chest. Legs locked. Anger closing off his expression.
Ivy struggled to clear her throat. “Paxton, this is Tate Kingston. Willow’s fiancé.”
Paxton arched a brow in recognition at Tate’s name before closing his expression down tight. “Start talking,” he said.
Tate grunted a protest, but Ivy held up her hand.
“I’m not going to apologize for not telling you about this up-front,” she said, using all of her control to keep her voice steady. “It wasn’t important when I first came to work for you. It was more important that I was good at my job and you needed help in the office. Besides, I didn’t plan to get close...” She took a deep breath. They both knew how those first intentions had been derailed. “Then you left. There just wasn’t time to address it.”
“What about since I came home? There’s no excuse for not telling me, Ivy.”
“Really?” She took a few steps closer, her heart pounding hard enough to bring on a wave of nausea. “Knowing how your family feels about mine, would you honestly place a child in the middle of that?”
She could tell her question hit home, but he quickly shrugged it off. “That doesn’t change the fact that your family is guilty.”
“Maybe they aren’t,” Tate said as he stepped forward. “I want you to look at this.”
Paxton threw her a quick glance she couldn’t read, then focused on Tate and the worn ledger in his hands.
“Your family and the Kanes weren’t the only successful shipping families in the area at the time. Mine was also around. The Kingston family was ruthlessly undercutting the competition in an attempt to take over the majority of the business in and out of Savannah’s ports,” Tate said. “Now, I don’t know what evidence caused your family to focus on the Kanes, especially after the police cleared them, but I think mine is a little more compelling.”
Tate laid the book on the coffee table and opened it to a page not quite halfway through. “Do you recognize this date?”
Paxton gave the page a quick glance, then paused for a longer look. “Yes.” He drew the word out.
“This ledger is the place my great-great-grandfather kept record of all of his business transactions that were...let’s just say, illegal. To put it mildly.”
Paxton raised a brow, giving him a look as princely as his surroundings. “I’m surprised you keep this.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Tate shrugged. “The Kingstons have always thought they were invincible. Every generation of them. All of the family records are stored on the third floor of Sabatini House, much to Willow’s delight.”
Paxton tilted his head in question.
“She’s quite the history buff.”
Tate’s casual manner seemed to calm Paxton a little. Much to Ivy’s relief.
His stance relaxed somewhat as he listened intently to the rest of Tate’s story. “It did not surprise me to know that my ancestors were not very nice people. I knew from personal experience. I’m not exaggerating when I say they were ruthless in their business dealings. I can assure you, it was not much different in their personal endeavors.”
“Are you actually proud of these criminals?” Paxton asked with an incredulous shake of his head.
“Absolutely not. They were bastards, by my standards. But it does make for interesting book fodder.”
Ivy might have smiled if the situation hadn’t been so tense. Only Tate, a famous horror author, would look at it that way.
Paxton looked a little dazed himself.
“Anyway, Willow found this in the attic and the date does correlate with the sinking of the McLemore ship.”
Paxton crossed his arms over his chest again, closing himself off. “Well, this is quite convenient for her.”
Fear pierced Ivy’s chest. What if Tate’s plan didn’t work? She hadn’t realized just how much hope had risen in her heart since Tate had started talking. Could she handle it if everything stayed sour between her and Paxton?
Tate didn’t seem at all phased by the remark. “The investigation was purely an academic exercise until Ivy’s, well, predicament came along.”
Great, now Paxton was back to shooting daggers in her direction. Metaphorically, of course.
Tate just kept talking. “We knew it would be important to find out what really happened, if we could. For the baby’s sake, if nothing else.”
“That doesn’t explain why I wasn’t told.”
Ivy stepped up, though her tight throat made speaking hard. “And I may never be able t
o explain it. I’m sorry, Paxton. I had to make a lot of tough decisions on my own. You might have made a different choice. But remember, it’s easier from the outside, looking in.”
He stiffened.
“Besides,” Tate said, “we thought we’d have more proof of her family’s innocence by now. I contacted the family of the man who signed the contract with my relatives, but they weren’t able to offer more than confirmation of his shady character.”
“But no specifics about the ship?”
“No. Not only would he never mention it, he left the room if it came up in any conversation.”
That tidbit seemed suspicious in and of itself. “How would they know that?”
“Family legend,” Tate supplied. “They passed down the story that on his deathbed, he tried to tell them something. The only word he could utter was McLemore. His surviving family members suspected he’d been involved somehow and remembered his odd behavior. But they were never able to get a confirmation from him.”
Paxton turned away, but not before Ivy noticed a slight shake in his hands. Hope surged as she held her breath.
After several long, silent moments, he turned back to face them. “You have the most to lose, Tate. Do you believe this?” He waved a hand toward the ledger.
“Wholeheartedly. But there’s nothing to lose for me. I don’t care what people think of me or my family. My future wife and sisters-in-law are another matter.”
Ivy wanted to hug her future brother-in-law, but she was too busy wondering if the actual evidence was enough to give her a fighting chance.
Thirteen
Paxton could understand Tate’s sentiment—all too well.
It would be easy to quit caring about his family and be led by his fascination with Ivy. He should have spent the night figuring out how to sue for custody of his child. Instead he’d spent the hours obsessing over losing the woman who had come to mean so much to him.
So much about Ivy had haunted his dreams. Her sexy lips and enthusiasm in bed. Her hard work and ability to handle all manner of issues in the office. Her love for her family, which rivalled his own. Then there was the incredible fact that his child grew inside of her, spawned by a night of passion he’d never forget. Not a single moment.
But he’d been lied to by pretty faces before. He wasn’t sure he could get over that.
“So,” Tate said as he gathered up the ledger. “This portion of the investigation is at a dead end. But we’re still looking for clues.”
“Have you thought about a private detective?”
Tate shook his head. “I don’t know where they’d look except where we are already looking. And I don’t want a stranger poking around my house.”
The thought still niggled at Paxton. Maybe...
“So...can I leave you two alone, or do I need to go get some packing boxes?”
Paxton couldn’t bring himself to look at Ivy just yet, but he noticed her body shift in his peripheral vision.
Did he want to do this? Was what they had together worth working this out for? Or should he walk away while he still could? Before he revealed more about himself than he felt comfortable with.
His body shouted yes, keep her. But his mind knew exactly where this conversation with Ivy would lead. She would be just as demanding for answers as he had been. He wasn’t sure he was ready to reveal so much about himself or if he could handle how close it might bring them.
Again he noticed that slight movement out of the corner of his eyes as the minutes ticked by. What did he want? Then a soft feeling of contentment invaded his chest and he knew what he needed to do.
“Give us some time, Tate,” Paxton said. “We can call if Ivy needs you.”
Tate stared him down for a long moment. Clearly taking his measure. Paxton let him. He had to take into account that two pretty high-powered men had become involved with Ivy’s family. Tate wanted to know if he could trust Paxton. He would want to know the same if they were talking about one of Paxton’s sisters.
“Okay,” Tate conceded. “Ivy?”
As Paxton turned his gaze in her direction, she nodded.
“You have my cell phone number.” The front door closed after Tate, leaving behind the most awkward silence Paxton had ever experienced.
Ivy didn’t hesitate to break it. “I’m sorry, Paxton.”
“I know.” And somehow he did. How he’d become this attuned to her, he wasn’t sure. The connection wasn’t always clear when his emotions got in the way. Still the certainty remained.
“I needed to protect myself. My family. But I realize now how selfish it was of me to hide this from you after we became...involved. I just thought I could fix it first.”
The strained tone in her voice pulled his reluctant glance her way—just in time to see her tilt slightly off-balance.
“Ivy, sit down.”
He ushered her into a nearby armchair. As soon as she was seated firmly in place, he forced himself to step away. He could see the hurt on her face, but couldn’t admit he had to pull back before he pulled her close.
Instead he channeled all of his chaotic thoughts and resulting pent-up energy into a steady bout of pacing. “I don’t know, Ivy. I don’t know if I can get past this.”
“The family thing—”
“The hiding. The secrets.”
It was a long moment of silence. Paxton couldn’t speak. His hypocrisy suddenly hit him hard, and his stomach dipped as though in anticipation of riding a roller coaster. How could he talk about her secrets when he insisted on keeping his own? Could he really do this? Expose his humiliating history to her?
“I’m only going to say this one more time. I’m sorry, Paxton.” Ivy’s voice was harder than he’d ever heard it. Justifiably so. “I should have told you what I knew.”
“That seems like a running theme with you.” Maybe he still had some anger lurking beneath the surface. Then again, emotions were rarely cut-and-dried.
“Look, I get that you’re angry, but you also don’t have stories handed down from your parents of your great-grandfather being so terrified after someone runs his wife’s car off the road with his baby daughter inside that he packs up their bags and flees during the middle of the night to protect his family.”
That stopped his pacing in an instant. “What?”
“Guess your grandmother left that part out, huh?” Ivy’s eyes were glistening. Her face scrunched up with emotion. Paxton couldn’t look away. “That was just the last in a long line of terror that was dished out to him before they ran for their lives. I know exactly what your family is capable of.”
He should, too. He’d suspected they had resorted to physical violence, but the details were never shared. To hurt an innocent woman and her child was unthinkable.
“If there was an option for proving our innocence, I wanted to take it, Paxton.”
And his family, the one he’d been trying so hard to serve, were the ones who had pushed her to keep the truth from him. Paxton felt all of his preconceived notions start to crack.
“I really do understand, Paxton,” she said, pushing up from her chair and crossing the room to him. Each step had a hesitancy to it, as if she weren’t quite sure she should approach. “And I wanted to trust you. But I wasn’t ready. At first it honestly didn’t matter. But later, with the baby, there was too much at stake.”
She laid a hand on his arm. “I know you were caught off guard. But I thought we were getting to know each other. Why wouldn’t you even listen to me? Give me a chance to explain?”
In that moment his gaze lifted and he caught sight of those gorgeous blue eyes and the stunning amount of hurt they held.
“I will not live through that again,” she insisted. “Paxton, I know I didn’t tell you right away, but that’s not lying. About this or the baby. I can’t always tell you every single thing according to your
timetable. I just can’t.”
He was already shaking his head, knowing his own secrets would have to be revealed. It was the only way to fix this problem.
“It’s not about you. It comes from someone before you.” His throat closed, as if urging him to keep his secrets to himself. To spare himself from reliving the humiliation. But she deserved something, even if it was only the bare facts. He had to look away from her fixed gaze.
“I was involved with someone, a long time ago.” He couldn’t tell her how infatuated he’d been, how naive. He’d grown up fast in the end. “I was young and stupid. I overlooked a lot of clues that I was being used before I overheard her telling her friends that she was with me for my money.”
He expected a sympathetic look or maybe even a few tears, but instead anger transformed Ivy’s face.
“Seriously? How could someone, anyone, get to know you and still only want you for your money? How pathetically shallow could she be?”
Her surprising outrage dissolved his embarrassment in seconds. That wasn’t at all what he’d expected...though he might have if he’d been thinking with any kind of clarity. He was still uncomfortable with what he’d shared, but she deserved the truth after he’d been so judgmental.
“At least you’re good for my ego,” he said with a slight laugh.
She studied him as if she knew he wasn’t telling her everything, knew there was something deeper behind his quip, but she didn’t press for more.
Instead she shook her head. “Paxton, I’m so sorry. I just didn’t know when the right time was to tell you everything.”
“Do I know it all now?”
To his surprise, she met his gaze head-on. “You know everything I know.” Her sigh echoed his own exhaustion. “I just don’t want to put my family in any jeopardy. They don’t deserve that.”
Immediate protests rose to his lips, but he held them back. As much as he didn’t want to admit it to himself, she had a right to be afraid.
He wasn’t sure what his family would do when they found out the truth. He still wasn’t sure what he felt about it himself. He only knew that he couldn’t turn his back on this woman for something that happened to his family several generations ago. Or for something that happened to him when he was just a kid.