Disguised with the Millionaire (Dangerous Millionaires Series Book 2)

by Debra Andrews

  Darcy rushed to Kate and hugged her. “I always suspected something bad had happened, and wondered if that was why you were so involved with Children in Crisis, but I was afraid to ask.”

  “You’re a good friend and I thank you for that. I only wanted to forget those dark parts in my life.”

  “Listen, you didn’t have a choice about your stepfather. If Trent Farrington doesn’t understand that, well, he’s not worth it.”

  “Darcy, even if Trent could get past Bill Jackson being my stepfather—which he won’t because of his high society background, especially with his mother—he’s not going to forgive me for lying about my credentials to get into the company. I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “You, too, Darcy?” They whirled to find Trent filling the doorway.

  Heat searing her cheeks, Kate stood up, wondering how much he’d heard. She swiped away her tears. “No, she’s innocent. I alone am to blame.”

  Apparently, he thought so little of her because he nodded in agreement. “Yes,” he said. Then he turned to Darcy. “Now, let’s just say your boss has gotten herself into some hot water.”

  Kate thrust her chin up. “I’m packing up and leaving like you ordered.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ve changed my mind. You’re not leaving right away,” he said in a cold voice.

  After the way he’d spoken to her in his office she’d never stay, besides his face was one of anger and not of someone who’d come to apologize.

  Kate threw the pens into the box. “Pack your personal items, Darcy.”

  “Stop, Darcy,” he growled.

  Kate grabbed her purse. “I was fired, remember? We’re leaving.”

  He stepped into her path. “Leave us, Darcy. You’re not fired,” he ordered.

  Darcy sent Kate a sympathetic look but did as she was told. “Kate, I wouldn’t step out, if I didn’t think you two needed to talk.” After Darcy left the office, Trent closed the door, leaving Kate ensconced with him, alone.

  Kate stepped back and pinned him with her gaze. “There is nothing for us to talk about—and no worries, I’m not staying here.”

  “You’ll stay, or shall I’ll call the police and report the whole sordid story?”

  Her entire breath left her on the exhale. When she glanced at him, she couldn’t stand the hatred in his eyes. He meant what he said. Kate shook her head. She whirled away, unable to look at him.

  “I didn’t think so. My grandfather wants us all on the boat on Saturday. He specifically asked for you. His health is bad, so you’re to be there. I want to let him down easy because he thought a lot of you. And if you cause problems…”

  She turned back to him and glared. “I’m sorry about his health, and I wouldn’t want to hurt him, but I can leave right now.”

  “Can you? You’re in a lot of trouble. I can make sure this time you don’t get away with your little schemes, doing the public some good. You were practicing without a license, which is fraud. Do you understand? You could go to jail,” he said hotly. “I could have you prosecuted.”

  “But I never actually practiced with anyone…” With him, she had. She swallowed that truth. “It wouldn’t look good for me, having been arrested before…”

  “You’re right, and you wouldn’t last long in prison. Physically, you’re too fragile. They’d eat you alive.”

  She gulped and didn’t think she would either. She’d been jailed before—after she’d been arrested for the Wallingford scheme that her stepfather had perpetuated by using her identity for his cover. Thoughts of one of the scariest nights of her life whirled through her head. Most of the women had been nice to her, but a couple of them had threatened to beat her up. And a male guard said he had other plans for her…

  Light-headedness struck Kate, and her knees buckled.

  “Sit,” Trent ordered. He put his hand on her shoulder and propelled her into a chair. “Put your head down.”

  She dropped her head into her lap, letting the dizziness recede.

  “Let’s just say, Kate, I hold all of the cards to your future now. My grandfather doesn’t know anything about this. He’s called some of us together and you’re on the list to meet on Saturday. And you’re going to go on Saturday because you’re going to appease a sick man.” He folded his arms over his chest. “Practicing medicine without a license is a serious offense.”

  Blood rushed to her head. She didn’t think he could prevent her from getting her degree in the future, but he might be able to stop her from getting her license or a job. The Farrington’s were powerful in the area.

  “Do you understand what I’m saying?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “So we’ve come to an agreement? You’re not to go anywhere until we know what my grandfather wants and until I see what you’ve been up to in my company…until I say so. Agreed?”

  She raised her head and nodded. “Okay.”

  “Did you steal money from the company? Not that your word is worth much.”

  Kate clutched the arms of the chair. “No. I never took anything…”

  Her face burned with shame. She had stolen cash out of someone’s desk once for her stepfather when she was a little girl. She had been too terrified to refuse him. She didn’t even want to think about her stepfather’s threat right now or she’d throw up all over the Farringtons’ beautiful office—or Trent for that matter.

  She took in a deep breath and glared up at him. “Let’s get one thing clear. I won’t stay at the company to be humiliated or insulted by you. I was acquitted of being involved in my stepfather’s scheme in the Wallingford case because I had nothing to do with it. I was innocent in the crime. My stepfather used my name to cover his tracks in the incident. I’m nothing like him. I wish you would believe me.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest and didn’t have to say a word. The look on his face confirmed he would never again believe a word she said.

  “I’ll stay,” she said in a low voice, “but don’t ever touch me again.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it, princess,” he said, scowling. “I’ll admit you had me fooled for a while, but I’ll be lucky if I haven’t caught a disease.”

  Her cheeks stinging, she gaped at him.

  He pivoted on his heel and strode from her office.

  “I thought you were responsible for my brother’s death,” she said to his retreating back. She had to tell him at least that part of this mess, but she wasn’t sure he heard her. At this point, she didn’t think it would make a difference. He'd probably think that was just an excuse to come to his company and steal.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Anxiety gripped her stomach as Kate drove her car to James Farrington’s mansion for the yachting trip on Saturday. Her hair was secured in a French-braid. She wore white Capri pants and a pink shirt with matching tennis shoes for the day on the water. Having to face Trent today, she felt like a woman set to go before a firing squad. She just had to get through today.

  Since their fallout on Wednesday, she’d only seen him once. He’d been dining with Cecilia at the Green Tree Restaurant. Sitting close, the two had seemed rather cozy together. Cecilia smiled up into his face and looked enraptured by whatever he had said. Then his gaze had snapped to Kate’s across the room. The cold look in his eyes shattered Kate’s heart, along with her composure. She’d turned and walked out of the restaurant.

  Their nights of making love seemed like a dream now. Her heart ached though she kept up appearances at work. He’d stripped her of her duties and had told her he’d watch her every move.

  After appeasing his ailing grandfather today, she assumed Trent would let her go for good. Obviously, he couldn’t wait to get rid of her. And she just wanted to be as far away from the Farringtons as possible.

  Tears pricked her eyes. She’d be glad to leave. When she’d come to the company, she didn’t expect to land herself in such a heap of trouble or endure so much pain. While she’d known the risks, she h
adn’t planned to stay long enough to get caught.

  Stepping out of the car, she was glad her new transition-lenses changed with the light. The sunglasses shielded her reddened eyes after a fresh bout of crying on the way over here.

  A male crewmember in a white uniform met Kate on the lawn and led her around the side of the two and-a-half-story, red brick mansion overlooking a magnificent vista of the river. The house had a large patio and a balcony that ran the entire length of the second floor. Tied to a dock, a massive, luxurious yacht floated on the water along with several other boats of varying types and sizes.

  Kate boarded and steadied herself to the gentle rocking of the ship. The crewmember led her to the back of the boat where Trent’s grandfather, his mother, and Cecilia sat around a table. In casual wear, Trent leaned against the bar. He was so incredibly handsome he hurt her eyes.

  By his hardened expression, she knew she could never make amends. Never again would he look upon her with a warm light in those dark eyes.

  She supposed she should be grateful he hadn’t had her thrown in jail—at least not yet. Regardless of what he planned now, she’d found out he could change his mind in an instant.

  While he didn’t smile at her, he did dip his head to acknowledge her presence. “Dr. Meyers. What an honor it is for you to join us,” he said sarcastically in a low voice.

  Kate cringed. If this was how he was going to act, the day would be depressingly long. “Thank you, Mr. Farrington,” she said through tight lips. “I was delighted to be invited.”

  Trent’s mother eyebrows drew together in a frown. “Dr. Meyers, I’m surprised you’re here today.” She threw a puzzled glance toward Trent.

  “Your son insisted I come,” Kate answered truthfully, knowing Mrs. Farrington had arranged for the investigation on her.

  “Ah, he did?” Trent’s mother then turned a cold shoulder toward Kate and proceeded to act as if she didn’t exist.

  Cecilia sent a snarky grin toward Eden as if they had won the game and Trent was the ultimate prize.

  “Please forgive me for not rising. These pesky health issues,” Trent’s grandfather said, placing a hand over his heart. “Welcome, Dr. Meyers. So good to see you. May I call you, Kate?”

  She nodded. “Yes, please do.”

  Trent rolled his eyes. “Why don’t we all call her Kate,” he snapped. “Dr. Meyers seems a little formal, doesn’t it?”

  Kate clenched her teeth.

  James Farrington beamed a smile. Obviously, he mistook the informality as meaning she and Trent were on good terms. He couldn’t be more wrong. “Sit here, dear. Trent, why don’t you pour Kate a drink?”

  Trent stepped to the bar. “Sure. Pick your poison.”

  Kate winced. For most people this would be a cliché, but for him, no doubt, he meant every word. “A Mimosa, please. Hold the hemlock.”

  He made a pretense of looking through the items on the bar, then he shot back, “Fortunately for you, we’re out of hemlock today. Would arsenic do?”

  Daunted, she shook her head, and warily sat down, feeling like the virtual ‘captive audience.’

  Had he told his grandfather that she was a criminal? Seeing nothing but humor—or was it satisfaction reflected in the older man’s eyes—Kate relaxed her shoulders and settled back into the chair.

  “Thank you,” she murmured when Trent handed her the drink. She didn’t bother to meet his eyes. It hurt to see how much he hated her. While he had good reason, because she’d lied to him from the first, at least he could have heard her out and let her explain herself and what she’d done and why.

  Shoving aside that painful thought, she sipped the tangy orange juice and bubbling champagne drink.

  “I’m glad you’re feeling well enough to make the trip,” she said, bestowing a weak smile to Mr. James Farrington.

  “Thank you, dear. The doctor said my health would improve as long as I live stress free. That’s one of the reasons I brought you all here. We’ll get on with the business portion as soon as everyone arrives.”

  Trent drained his glass quickly and poured himself another, straight from a bottle of whiskey. Was he concerned about this meeting and needing to bolster his confidence with alcohol, or was he drinking because of her?

  “Ah, there is Roland coming down the dock,” Eden said dryly. “He looks a little unkempt, as if he’s been hitting the booze hard again.”

  Although Trent’s older cousin was Kate’s prime suspect, Eden appeared cruel where Roland was concerned. Uneasiness settled in Kate’s chest. Didn’t the woman know her actions pitted cousin against cousin?

  “Sorry, I’m late, Grandfather,” Roland said as he entered the deck. With sweat beading on his brow, and his shirt wrinkled, he swiped at the fair hair hanging limply across his forehead. It was obvious that at one time Roland had been attractive, but he could never have compared to his gorgeous cousin.

  Thankfully, Roland had stayed clear of her since the benefit ball and seemed embarrassed by his actions of that night. Or was there another reason he avoided her? Could he have been the one to leave the mask for her? She was certain it had been whoever had been in Purchasing on that day she’d heard a noise.

  “Take a seat,” James Farrington said, waving toward the table. “Ah, and there’s Frank Blake coming down the dock.”

  “Frank Blake!” Trent blasted. “Why the hell is he here?”

  “I invited him, so be civil,” James ordered, just before Blake strode onto the back deck where they had all gathered. “Glad you could make it, Frank. Trent, notify the captain that we’re all on board.”

  After Blake settled into a chair with his drink, James leaned toward his guest. “Frank, have you met Dr. Kate Meyers?”

  With salt and pepper hair, a mustache, and overly tanned skin, Frank Blake had a set of gleaming brown eyes that could send a chill up a polar bear’s spine.

  Kate shivered. This was the first time she’d met him in person. There was something a little familiar about him perhaps because she’d met his type before. He was the creepy kind her stepfather occasionally brought to their house.

  He appeared to be nearly Eden’s age. Through his glasses, Blake perused Kate. “No, we haven’t met. I’m sure I’d remember someone as pretty as she is.” His eyes narrowed, then he turned and winked at Eden. “Why, James, she’s as lovely as your daughter-in-law here.”

  Mrs. Farrington lifted an eyebrow. “I remember you were always a sweet talker, Frank,” she said dryly. “You still are.” Even to Kate, Blake seemed to be groveling as he spouted off his praise for Eden—as if he were schmoozing her. How could Mrs. Farrington not be aware of this?

  Blake chuckled. “It was nice to renew our acquaintance at the benefit ball this year.”

  Trent’s mother raised her glass in salute. “I was surprised, too. I thought you’d forgotten all about me these past ten years.”

  “Eden, I’ve been a fool,” Blake said coyly. “Do you mind if we speak together privately?” They drifted to a small table at the back of the yacht.

  The engines rumbled to life. The crew cast off the lines and the vessel moved away from the dock. Picking up speed, the boat pounded over the waves in the Intracoastal Waterway. The breeze cooled Kate’s face.

  “Trent, why don’t you sit here between these two lovely ladies?” James Farrington swept his hand toward the chair between Kate and Cecilia. Kate narrowed her eyes. Did he know she and Trent had spent a weekend together? If the grandfather did, he didn’t let on. “Two fine-looking, young women. I’m not sure how you can resist?”

  Trent sat down between them, slightly turning away from Kate. His body language spoke volumes and showed that he’d rather be anywhere but near her. And that hurt. But what about Cecilia? Had he gone out on a date with her—been with her, too? The idea brought pain to Kate’s heart, but she put on a mask of cool composure. She had to play along so Trent would set her free and she could move on and try to pick up the shambles of her life.

  Whe
n James stepped away from the table to speak to a crewmember, Cecilia scooted her chair closer to Trent’s. “I enjoyed the party last night. Rob and Karen said we should all go out one night next weekend.”

  Trent didn’t comment. So they had gone out… A sense of loss hit Kate. Perhaps he was uncomfortable with her being here and didn’t want to discuss his private life with Cecilia. He’d moved on so fast. If only she could forget him as quickly as he had her. Tears teased the back of her eyes. The sooner this day was over the better.

  A crewmember brought out appetizers. Kate tasted a bite of a sushi roll, but found she could barely eat anything. To distract herself from Cecilia’s endless chatter to Trent about the damned party they’d attended, Kate strode to the back of the boat. She clasped the railing, breathing in the salt air, and taking in the passing view. She soon regretted her move.

  “I’d love for Cecilia and Trent to get together,” Mrs. Farrington said from a few feet away at a smaller table where she sat with Blake. “And I think it’s possible now. Frank, you won’t believe it, but I saved him from making a disastrous mistake with a woman who is virtually a criminal.”

  Kate pursed her lips.

  Blake lifted his drink. “Really now? Lucky break for you.”

  “Yes. I’d never tolerate someone like her in Trent’s life. Thankfully, this woman won’t be around much longer.” Eden shot a chilling glance toward Kate.

  Kate frowned unhappily, wishing Trent’s mother would just leave her alone. After pacifying his grandfather tonight, Trent would dismiss her for good, so why didn’t she ease off? Soon Mrs. Farrington would get her wish and Kate would be gone for good. She was already halfway out the door and definitely out of Trent’s life. Eden must be ecstatic.

  Raising her chin, Kate did an about-face and headed back to the table.

  The yacht cruised past houses and condominiums. The tendrils of loose hair around Kate’s face blew in the light breeze. While the ride was nice, she just wanted to go home.