by Неизвестный
Astounded by his abrupt turnaround, she could only stare at him, her tongue flapping to try and come up
with something, anything to say. How could he still affect her this way after all he’d done?
“Then you’ll say no more about marriage?”
His lips tightened. “I didn’t promise that. I have every intention of marrying you as quickly as possible
and definitely before this surgery.”
“But—”
He held up his hand, and to her utter annoyance, her mouth shut, cutting off her protest.
“You are having a dangerous surgery. You have no family, no one to be with you, to make decisions if
the worst should happen.”
A cold trickle of dread swept down her spine. How did he know anything about her family? Had he had
her investigated? Her stomach rolled as nausea welled. She couldn’t bear for anyone to know of her past.
As far as she was concerned it didn’t exist. She didn’t exist.
“There has to be another way,” she said faintly. Already the strain of him being here, of standing up
against this hard man, was wearing on her.
It must have been obvious, because his expression softened noticeably. “I’m not here to fight with you.
We have a lot to work out and not much time. I need to speak with your doctor and have you transferred
to a better facility. I’ll want a specialist to take over your care. He can give us a second opinion on
whether this surgery is the best solution with you pregnant. I’ll see to the arrangements for our wedding.”
“Stop right there,” she said as fury worked its way up her spine until her neck was stiff and locked. “You
won’t come barging in here, taking over my life and making decisions for me. I’m not some brainless
idiot who needs you to rush in and save the day. I’ve spoken to the doctors. I’m well aware of what
needs to be done, and I will make the decision as to what is best for me and my daughter. If that bothers
you, then you can take yourself right back to your island and leave me the hell alone.”
He held up a placating hand. “Don’t upset yourself, Jewel. I’m sorry if I’ve offended you. Taking over is
what I do. You asked for my help, and I’m here to offer it, and yet now you don’t seem to want it.”
“I want your help without conditions.”
For a long moment they stared at each other, neither backing down as the challenge was laid.
“And I’m afraid that I’m unwilling to just sit back and not have a say.”
“You’re not even convinced this is your child,” she threw out.
He nodded. “That’s true. I’d be a fool to blindly accept your word. We hardly know each other. How do
I know you didn’t set the entire thing up? Regardless, I’m willing to help. I have much to make up for.
For now I’m willing to go with the assumption that you’re carrying my daughter. I want us to marry
before you have any further medical treatment.”
“But that’s just insane,” she protested.
He continued on as if she hadn’t spoken. “I’ll have an agreement drawn up to protect both our interests.
If it turns out you’ve lied and the child is not mine, the marriage will immediately be terminated. I’ll
provide a settlement for you and your daughter, and we’ll go our separate ways.”
She didn’t miss the way he said “your daughter,” the way he purposely distanced himself from the
equation. If she lied. She almost shook her head. She would have had to have jumped directly from his
bed into another man’s for the timing to be such that the baby could be someone else’s. What he must
think of her. Hardly a basis for marriage.
“And if she is yours?” she asked softly.
“Then we remain married.”
She was already shaking her head. “No. I don’t want to marry you. You can’t want this either.”
“I won’t argue about this, Jewel. You will marry me and you’ll do it immediately. Think about what’s
best for your daughter. The longer we spend arguing, the longer you and the baby are at risk.”
“You really are blackmailing me,” she said in disbelief.
“Think what you want,” he offered with a casual shrug.
“She is your child,” she said fiercely. “You get those damn tests done, but she’s yours.”
Piers nodded. “I’m willing to concede that she could be mine. I wouldn’t have offered marriage if I
didn’t think the possibility existed.”
“And yet you don’t want to wait for those results before you tie us together?”
“How strangely you put it,” he said with mild amusement. “Our agreement will allow for any possibility.
As I’ve said, if it turns out you’ve lied to me, our marriage will end immediately. I’m prepared to be
generous in spite of the lie, but it will be on my terms. And if, as you said, that she is my daughter, then
the best course is for us to be married and provide a stable home for her.”
“With two parents who can barely tolerate one another.”
He raised one eyebrow. “I wouldn’t go that far. I’d say we got on quite well together that night in my
hotel room.”
A deep flush worked its way over her cheeks. “Lust is no substitute for love, trust and commitment.”
“And who is to say those things won’t follow?”
She stared at him in astonishment.
“Give it a chance, Jewel. Who is to say what the future holds for us. For now, it isn’t wise to dwell on
things that might not even be an issue. We have your surgery to contend with and of course the results of
the paternity test.”
“Of course. Silly me to consider the cornerstones of marriage when in fact we’re considering getting
married.”
“There is no need to be so sarcastic. Now, if we’re finished, I suggest you get some rest. There are many
things to be done, and the sooner I arrange everything, the sooner you can be at ease.”
“I haven’t said I’ll marry you,” she said evenly.
“No, and I’m waiting for your answer.”
Frustration beat at her temples. How infuriating was this man. Arrogant. Convinced of getting his way
each and every time. And yet, the jerk was right on all counts. She needed him. Their daughter needed
him.
Sadness crept over her, and she lay back, closing her eyes. She felt disgustingly weepy. This was so far
removed from the way she’d dreamed things might be one day. In her more sane moments, she’d
accepted the fact that she’d probably never marry, never have someone she could absolutely trust. Trust
just wasn’t in her makeup. And yet, it hadn’t stopped her fanciful daydreams of a strong, loving man.
Someone who wouldn’t abuse her trust. Someone who would love her unconditionally.
“It won’t be as bad as that,” Piers said gently as he took her hand in his once more.
She opened her eyes to see him staring intently at her.
“All right, Piers. I’ll marry you,” she said wearily. “But I’ll have conditions of my own.”
“I’ll provide a lawyer to represent your interests. He can look over my part of the agreement and advise
you accordingly.”
How sterile and cold it all sounded. More like a hostile business takeover than a marriage. A delicate
shiver skirted up her spine and prickled her nape. There was no doubt that she was making a mistake.
Perhaps the biggest mistake of her life. But for her child, she’d do this. She’d do anything. From the
moment she discovered she was pregnant, her child became everything to
her. She wouldn’t lose her
daughter. If she had to marry the devil himself, she’d grit her teeth and bear it.
“How about I choose the lawyer and have him bill you,” she offered sweetly.
To her surprise he chuckled. “Don’t trust me? I suppose you have no reason to. Of course. Choose your
lawyer and have him send me the bill.”
Her eyes narrowed. He was positively magnanimous, but then he could afford to be now that he’d won.
“Is there anything you need? Anything you’d like me to bring you?”
She hesitated for a moment. “Food.”
“Food? They don’t feed you here?”
“Really good food,” she said hopefully. “I’m starving.”
He smiled, and she felt the jolt all the way to her toes. Damn the man for looking so disgustingly
appealing. She didn’t want to be attracted to him anymore. Her hand smoothed over her belly in another
silent apology. She didn’t regret a single thing about their night of passion, but it didn’t mean she
wanted to dwell on it forever.
“I will see what I can do about getting you some really good food. Now, get some rest. I’ll be back after
a while.”
As if she would rest now that he’d arrived and turned her life upside down.
Then he surprised her by leaning down and brushing his lips across her forehead in a surprisingly tender
gesture. She held her breath, enjoying the brief contact. As he drew away, his fingers trailed down her
cheek.
“I don’t want you to worry about anything. Just rest and get well and take good care of your…our
daughter.”
He seemed to struggle with the last as if he was making a concession to her claim, and yet, he looked
grim. Maybe he had no wish for children. Tough. He now had a daughter, and he might as well get used
to the idea.
He gave her one last look and then turned to walk briskly from the hospital room. When the door shut
behind him, Jewel let out her breath in a long whoosh.
Married.
She couldn’t imagine being married to such a hard man. She’d had enough hard people in her life.
Emotionless, cold individuals with no heart, no love. And now she was consigned to a marriage that
would be a replica of her childhood.
Her hands rubbed and massaged her swollen belly. “It will never be like that for you, sweetie. I love you
so much already, and there’ll never be a day you won’t know it. I swear. No matter what happens with
your daddy, you’ll always have me.”
Six
“I ’ve done a terrible thing,” Piers said when his brother, Chrysander, muttered an unintelligible
greeting in Greek.
Chrysander sighed, and Piers could hear him sit up in bed and fight the covers for a moment.
“Why is it becoming commonplace for my younger brothers to call me in the middle of the night with
those exact words?”
“Theron messed up lately?” Piers asked in amusement.
“Not since he seduced a woman under his protection,” Chrysander said dryly.
“Ahh, you mean Bella. Why do I imagine that it was she who did the seducing?”
“You’re straying from the topic. What is this terrible thing you’ve done, and how much is it going to
cost?”
“Maybe nothing. Maybe everything,” Piers said quietly.
A curse escaped Chrysander’s lips, and then Piers heard him say something to Marley in the background.
“Don’t worry Marley over this,” Piers said. “I’m sorry to have disturbed her sleep.”
“It’s too late for that,” Chrysander growled. “Just give me a moment to go into my office.”
Piers waited, drumming his fingers on the desk in his hotel room. Finally Chrysander came back on the
line.
“Now tell me what’s wrong.”
Just like Chrysander to get to the point.
“I had an affair—a brief affair, a one-night stand really.”
“So?” Chrysander asked impatiently. “This isn’t new for you.”
“She was my new assistant.”
Chrysander cursed again.
“I didn’t know she was my assistant until she showed up for work. I had her fired.”
Chrysander groaned. “How much is she suing us for?”
“Let me finish.” This time it was Piers who was impatient. “I didn’t intend to fire her at all. I asked my
human resources manager to transfer her, or promote her or pay her for her entire contracted term, but he
only heard the get rid of her part and fired her. She disappeared before I could remedy the situation, and
I wasn’t able to locate her. Until now.”
“Okay, so what’s the problem?”
“She’s in the hospital. She’s ill, she needs a surgery…and she’s pregnant.”
Dead silence greeted his announcement.
“Theos,” Chrysander breathed. “Piers, you can’t let this happen again. Last time—”
“I know,” Piers said irritably. The last thing he needed was a recap of that disaster from his brother. It
was bad enough he’d been made a complete fool of, but his brothers had witnessed the entire debacle.
“Are you certain the child is yours?”
“No. I’ve asked for paternity testing.”
“Good.”
“There’s something else you should know,” Piers said. “I’m going to marry her. Soon, as in the next few
days.”
“What? Have you lost your mind?”
“Funny, that’s what she asked me.”
“I’m glad one of you has sense then,” Chrysander said heatedly. “Why on earth would you marry this
woman when you don’t even know if the child is yours?”
“It’s amazing how the tables have turned,” Piers said mildly.
“Don’t even start. I heard the same thing from Theron when he was so set on marrying Alannis. Never
mind that I was right about what a disaster that would be. You two warning me about Marley was an
entirely different situation, and you know it. You don’t have a relationship with this woman. You slept
with her one night, and now she claims to be pregnant with your child, and you’re going to marry her?
Just like that?”
“She needs my help. I’m not stupid. I’m having our lawyer draw up an ironclad agreement that provides
stipulations for the possibility that the child isn’t mine. For now, with her surgery looming, it’s best that
we marry. This way I can make decisions for her care and that of the child’s. If it does turn out to be my
daughter, how would I feel if I had sat back and done nothing while I waited for the proof?”
“Daughter?”
“Yes. Apparently Jewel is pregnant with a girl.”
Despite his doubts and his heavy suspicions, he couldn’t help but smile at the image of a little girl with
big eyes and a sweet smile.
“Jewel. What’s her last name?”
“Oh no you don’t, big brother. There’s no need to get all protective and have her background dug up. I
can handle this myself. You just concern yourself with your wife and my nephew.”
“I don’t want you hurt again,” Chrysander said quietly.
And there it was. No matter how much he wanted to avoid the past, it was always there, hanging like a
dark cloud. Unbidden, the image of another child, a sweet baby boy, dark-haired with a cherubic smile
and chubby little legs, came painfully to mind. Eric. Not many days had gone by that Piers hadn’t
thought of him in some form or fashion, but not until now had such pain accompanied the memories.
fool then.”
Chrysander sighed. “You were young, Piers.”
“It was no excuse.”
“Call me if you need me. Marley and I would like to come to your wedding. It will be better if family is
there.”
“There’s no need.”
“There is every need,” Chrysander said, interrupting him. “Let me know the details, and we’ll fly out.”
Piers’s hand gripped the phone tighter. It was nice to have such unconditional support. And then he
realized the irony. He hadn’t exactly offered Jewel his unconditional support. He’d strong-armed her and
taken advantage of her situation.
“All right. I’ll call when I have the arrangements made.”
“Be sure and let Theron know as well. He and Bella will want to be there.”
Piers sighed. “Yes big brother.”
Chrysander chuckled. “This is a small thing I ask. It’s not as if you’ve ever listened to me before.”
“Give Marley my love.”
“I will—and Piers? Be careful. I don’t like the sound of this at all.”
Piers hung up the phone. He should call Theron, but he couldn’t bring himself to face another
inquisition. Especially now that Theron had joined the ranks of the deliriously happy. He’d be appalled
that Piers was going to marry a woman he barely knew, a woman who might well be lying to him.
Instead he phoned his lawyer and outlined his situation. Then he arranged a security detail for Jewel. He
and his brothers took no chances with those close to them after what had happened to Chrysander’s wife,
Marley. Next he called to see when Jewel’s doctor would next be making his rounds. He intended to be
there so he’d know exactly what was going on.
Lastly, he called a local restaurant and arranged for a full-course dinner to be prepared for pickup in an
hour.
Jewel was ready to fidget right out of the bed. She’d only gotten up to use the bathroom, and now she’d
decided she’d had enough. The doctor was releasing her tomorrow now that someone had shown up to
take care of her. She had to work to keep the snort of derision from rising in her throat.