Disguised with the Millionaire (Dangerous Millionaires Series Book 2)

by Debra Andrews

  “Yes.” Roland seemed relieved to tell the truth.

  Trent furrowed his brow. “You’re in a lot of trouble.”

  Roland nodded. “I know.”

  The elevator door opened on the top floor. Once they were inside his office, Trent turned to his cousin. “What the hell is going on?”

  “If I tell you, I’ll be killed.”

  “If you don’t tell me, I’ll kill you,” Trent said, fisting his hands. “You’ve been sabotaging the Karger building, bilking us for money. A man has died. You’re going to jail.”

  Roland’s face reddened. “No.” He slumped down on the couch and dropped his face into his hands.

  “What did you think would happen to the building, when you swapped quality products for inferior ones?” Trent asked.

  Roland loosened his tie and shirt buttons and ran his hand around his sweaty neck. “I wasn’t swapping anything. I did take the advertising money from the account, but I didn’t sabotage your project.”

  “Someone is,” Trent said.

  “Blake, I’m sure,” Roland mumbled. “I needed money to repay a gambling debt. He was so willing to lend it to me in the beginning, but then he turned on me.”

  “He was willing because he was setting us up,” Trent said.

  Roland swiped his hand across his bleeding face. “He told me not to interfere with the sale or he’d beat me to a pulp. Since he’s not getting the company now that our grandfather won’t sell, he’s demanding his money back. Right now.”

  Trent went into his bathroom and returned with tissues and a damp towel. He tossed the towel at Roland.

  Roland blotted his bloodied nose. “Shit. I thought his goons were going to kill me. I’m dead anyway. I can’t pay. I tried to triple the money that I took to the casino, but lost everything.” His face creased. “I can’t believe he let them beat the crap out of me. He told me if I didn’t convince you to sell the company, I might not walk away the next time.”

  “How much do you owe him?”

  “$325,000,” Roland answered. “Now, growing $5,000 a day.”

  “I’ll get the money for you, and you’ll repay me out of your salary. Damn you, if you bring this hell down on our heads again. If I find you’ve been involved in substituting the products or sabotaging the building—and helping Blake, you’ll go to jail. A man died.”

  “I’m not involved.” Roland blew out a deep breath. “Man, thanks. I owe you. But I have to warn you that Blake plans to use your wife to get to you. He said he has something on her that would make her squirm if you knew what it was.”

  Frowning, Trent glanced at Kate. “You know about this?”

  The blood drained from her face. “Can we talk privately?”

  “In the bathroom.” Trent followed her through the door and closed it.

  His brow furrowing, he stood over her.

  Her knees trembled.

  “Just when I think I can trust you...” He threw out his hands. “You told me you didn’t know Blake.”

  “No. I didn’t say that. I said that I didn’t work for him.”

  He swiped his hand through his hair. “Damn it. Splitting hairs, Kate? Why can’t you ever tell me anything straight? And what the hell does he hold over you to blackmail you? Obviously something that’s going to piss me the hell off.”

  Kate raised her chin. “I didn’t remember Blake at first,” she said in a rush of words. “I never knew his name—but at the awards ceremony he said he knew my stepfather—and then I remembered him!” She grabbed Trent’s arm. “When I realized I’d met him before I was afraid to tell you, exactly for this reason! I knew you’d think the worst. There was never anything between Blake and me. Nothing that pertains to you or that you should be upset about.” She did not want him to know the sordid details that Blake wanted to spill about her. “It’s personal and nothing that mattered—”

  He shook off her hand. “You and Blake… It’s more than business, isn’t it? You don’t work for him—you work with him…and more. And you showed up at Farrington Construction around the same time that he tried to get back into our lives. Damn it to hell.” He turned and strode out of the bathroom.

  “It’s not what you think,” she called out to his retreating back. She followed him out to the hallway, where he stepped onto the elevator and the doors closed. She headed to her own office to calm herself. “Darcy…” she said as she walked through the doorway.

  Her friend turned from her computer screen. “What’s wrong, Kate?”

  Kate stared at Darcy, in shock. “Trent and I… It’s even worse. He thinks I’m in cahoots with Blake…and sleeping with that disgusting man, too.”

  Darcy handed her a letter. “This looks important.”

  Kate gasped. “It’s the drywall report from the lab.” She opened the envelope. “The drywall contains a radioactive phosphorus substance, which contains radium…and several more hazardous toxic substances. I have to give this to Trent.”

  * * *

  Ten minutes later, while driving toward his grandfather’s mansion, Trent swore under his breath. Were there no women he could trust, or was it only the ones closest to him that had no scruples? Kate had more skeletons in her closet than Jack the Ripper.

  She and Blake…

  Jealousy he’d never experienced raged inside him like an ugly beast. The thought of them together rolled his stomach into a nauseous wave.

  The marriage had to end. He couldn’t remain married to her, not a minute longer. He stalked into his grandfather’s house. He’d gladly give her double the money from the prenuptial agreement just to get her out of his life. He hoped that his grandfather’s health could hold up to all the truths he had to tell.

  One thing nagged him and didn’t make sense. If she and Blake were together…why would the man have tried to kill her?

  He’d seen photos of the wreckage and the perilous angle at which the car had nearly gone over the steep ramp. This could not have been a stunt to make her look innocent, to fool them—because if the car had plummeted the hundred feet, she would surely have been killed. And the mask that day on the construction site…she had been upset, enough to faint.

  Trent stepped into his grandfather’s house.

  Beasley entered the foyer. “Mr. Trent? You caught me by surprise.”

  “Where’s my grandfather?”

  “He’s in the library. Allow me to notify him.”

  “Thanks, Beas, but I don’t have time to wait—”

  “But Mr. Trent…”

  Trent strode down the long marble hallway and into his grandfather’s study. The patio doors were opened to the side yard where his grandfather was practicing a golf putt on his personal green, looking as fit as a man of seventy-eight years old could look.

  “I’m surrounded by liars,” Trent muttered as he took in his grandfather’s appearance. The man seemed to be the picture of health.

  A guilty look rose on his grandfather’s face. Then the man had the nerve to place his hand over his heart. “Trent. You surprised me.”

  “I’m sure I did,” Trent said dryly. “You’re quite active today for a man on his death bed.”

  “I was only stretching. I think I’ll rest now, as I do feel weak. I didn’t expect you.”

  Trent crossed his arms over his chest. “Obviously.”

  The elderly man sheepishly put his golf club down and shuffled into his study. “Now tell me what this is about?”

  Trent blew out a restless breath. “First, you can knock off the sick act. Let’s be honest with each other. Your poor health is a ruse, isn’t it?”

  His grandfather shrugged and sat on the leather sofa. “I had a scare, but I’m healthier than I led you to believe.”

  “Did you have to scare your family as well,” Trent blasted.

  “I wanted to retire, but I couldn’t with my grandsons Players of the Month. I needed them to become responsible men.”

  “Okay your truth is out, now mine, and I think by your golf action
you’re strong enough to handle what I have to say. All is not going well at the Company.”

  Trent filled his grandfather in on the sabotage. He left out the part about Roland. He would give Roland the chance to return the money he’d taken from the company, but Trent did reiterate his suspicions of Blake.

  “Trent, I do believe Blake could be responsible. He’s an unethical scoundrel.”

  “I can get extra security to protect our assets, but there’s something else you need to know.” He told his grandfather the rest. “I only married Kate because I could divorce her when I wanted to. I had something to hold over her head to force her to marry me, in a temporary agreement.”

  Yes. Saying it out loud made it sound nasty. Damn it, he had forced her to marry him, then treated her badly for doing what he wanted her to do. But he had also wanted her like no other woman…

  “Do you mean your marriage to that dear girl is a sham?”

  “I guess shams run in the family.”

  His grandfather ignored the comment. “Her aunt was a fine, lovely woman. We might have become more if she hadn’t died. To be honest, Trent, I knew on the day Kate applied for the job that she wasn’t yet a psychologist. But I thought you might like her. I’m sorry I lied to you.”

  “I’m sorry I lied to you, too, but you forced this marriage.”

  “And you only said you would marry her to humor me?”

  “Yeah, and I’ll take my own blame for lying to you.” He had to admit to himself that this wasn’t the complete truth. In a possessive way, he had wanted to bind Kate to him. He realized that now… He hadn’t wanted to let her go.

  “I don’t want you to be miserable in your marriage, but tell me, what has she done? She seems like a sweet girl.”

  “Sweet? I’m not sure that’s the right word for Kate.”

  “What?”

  “Never mind, but I just need out.” He had wanted to give them a second chance, but the woman he wanted her to be was an unobtainable dream—and involved with Blake. The thought of a divorce brought an ache to his heart that she would never be his.

  “I’ll have our attorneys make the arrangements for an annulment, if that can be obtained. Or you can divorce her.”

  “No, don’t do that. Tomorrow, I’ll make the arrangements and draw up a settlement. I want her out of my life immediately and completely.” It was the only way he could deal with how she tore him up inside.

  “Trent, I’m sorry for this outcome.”

  Trent blew out a deep breath. “So am I. I’m going to the Karger site.”

  * * *

  With the drywall report clutched in her hand, Kate stood near the half-opened door of James Farrington’s study and listened to Trent and his grandfather discussing her. Her heart constricted in her chest. Trent could have his annulment or divorce, or whatever it took to be rid of her. She’d come here to give him the report and to tell him the entire story about her encounter with Frank Blake.

  However, the gritty details would be nothing like Trent expected. When she was younger she’d blamed herself, but no matter how she might have attracted Blake, she knew that it wasn’t her fault—it was her stepfather’s. She should have told Trent, even if it was humiliating, but now, she wouldn’t have to tell him about one of the most horrific and painful days of her life.

  He’d be sure to misinterpret her involvement anyway. That was his way when it came to her. She was better to get out while she could. And get as far away as possible. But if it was better this way, why did she feel such a terrible sense of loss?

  She swiped at the tears on her cheeks. Perhaps she’d just mail the report to Trent. Let him find the culprit, and then Matt’s death would be avenged. If Blake was behind the sabotage, the paper in her hand proved he had to be crazy––making him dangerous.

  A horrible thought rushed through her. What if Trent thought she’d falsified the document? Who knows why, but he might! Her shoulders sagged at that possibility.

  As a hand pressed against her back, Kate whirled around.

  “I heard everything, too,” Mrs. Farrington whispered. “Why don’t we talk?”

  Kate numbly nodded. She followed Trent’s mother down the hall. Even though she hadn’t meant to overhear the conversation, she didn’t want Trent to catch her here because there was no doubt he’d add eavesdropping to her list of sins against him.

  Once they were out of the line of sight, Eden stopped. “Why is he divorcing you?”

  Steeling her pride, Kate straightened her shoulders. “The marriage was wrong. That’s all.”

  “Good. Now Cecilia will have her chance. I’m leaving my money to her. She’s a distant relative on my side. I wouldn’t have left anything to Trent if he stayed with you. Can’t you see how continuing this marriage would harm him?”

  “If money is all that matters to you, and not your son’s happiness, I think you’ll get your wish. You don’t even care that your precious Blake is out to hurt Trent.” Kate raised the paper in her hand. “Here’s the proof.”

  Eden dropped her gaze to the report. “What proof? Something Blake did?”

  “Blake’s been sabotaging the materials and the building. I just need to link him to a warehouse to prove it.”

  Eden grasped for the paper. “Not Frank. Give me the report. I’ll give it to Trent.”

  Kate shook her head. “No, thank you. I’ll make sure he gets it. I’ll probably mail it.”

  She didn’t trust his mother to give him the evidence. Eden could be so blinded by her love for Blake, she might not think the report was important—or if it implicated Blake, she might even destroy the paper.

  Eden Farrington stared down her nose at Kate. “I’m sorry for you in this divorce. Truly, I am. Trent might have thought he was in love with you, too, but he’ll soon realize Cecilia is the right wife for him.”

  More tears burned Kate’s eyes. His mother was so wrong. Trent had never loved her. “One day, will you please tell him the truth that I never worked for Blake, or had anything to do with him?”

  “Perhaps… But only when he’s safely married to Cecilia.”

  Blowing out a deep breath, Kate nodded weakly. “If that’s the best you can do…”

  Kate turned on her high heels. Her footsteps clicked on the marble as she strode out of the mansion, probably for the last time.

  ***

  With her hands clenched on the steering wheel, Kate drove through the mansion’s wrought iron gates. Just ahead of her on the main boulevard, Trent’s car headed toward downtown and the Karger site.

  She lifted her chin. She wasn’t going to run or cower as she had with her stepfather. In addition, she was over the initial shock of hearing Trent tell his grandfather how much he wanted her out of his life. Face to face, like mature adults, she’d give him the lab report and tell him what she had overheard.

  She took a deep breath. Now that she’d shielded her heart, she could handle facing his news and if he wanted a divorce, they should just do it.

  Then she would say good-bye and get on with her life—away from him.

  Kate slid out of her car and met him at the gates of the Karger construction site. “Hi,” she said in a breathy voice with a reserved edge. If this was over, she’d face it head on.

  “Why are you here?” Trent asked.

  “We need to talk about a few things. Why are you here?”

  He nodded to the security guard who opened the gates. “Kate, if you want to talk, you’ll have to come with me.” He put on a hard hat and handed her one.

  She followed him to the elevator. “Uh… You know how hard this is for me. I can’t go up there, especially after what happened the last time.”

  “Then stay here.” He stepped into the open-cage elevator. “I’m not really in a good mood to talk about anything at the moment.”

  Kate sighed and reluctantly stepped on. He shut the door.

  “Trent, you know I don’t like this. Why does everything have to be so hard with us?”


  His dark eyes shuttered, he shook his head. “It’s brave of you to trust the elevator.”

  “Brave or stupid? I’m not sure which.”

  The elevator lumbered up to the top floors. Trying to breathe evenly, she shivered and pulled her thin jacket closer around her. Why hadn’t she just given him the papers and told him she’d heard him talking about the divorce down on the ground? She must be a glutton for punishment… She kept her eyes closed until they stopped.

  When Trent stepped out, she followed him. Her stomach rolled at being so high.

  The late afternoon sun was already making pink streaks in the western sky, while the unfinished building seemed to gape to the open air. The wind caught her and she stumbled from the force of the breeze.

  He grabbed her arm and steadied her. “Don’t get near the edge. A gust could pull you over.”

  Her shorter skirt whipped around her legs. She clung to his arms. “Not a chance—I have no intention of getting too close.”

  He pulled her hands off his arms and moved away. “I wasn’t trying to scare you.”

  Trent stepped to the ledge that had a two-foot-high wall running around the outside. He sat, stretched out his legs and leaned against a pillar, probably because he knew she couldn’t go anywhere near him with her fear of heights.

  Kate stood ten feet away. “I wish you wouldn’t do that. If you were to fall…”

  “I’m not going to jump, if that’s what you’re thinking. And if I fell, scaffolding is a few feet below the edge.”

  “Oh, that’s a relief,” she said dryly.

  “I’m not afraid of heights. However, I do have a healthy respect.”

  “Trent, I’m sorry about all the issues you’re having with your building.”

  “I’m sorry, too.”

  “So why did you come up here?” She shifted uneasily and waited for an answer.

  “I’m here to reflect on my projects. My life. My failures. But really at the moment, I’m waiting to see why you would follow me up here, knowing how you feel about heights.”

  She squeezed her hands together. “The reason I came up here…is to face my fears and be brave enough to tell you everything about my past. Besides coming to the company to find who caused Matt to die, I should have told you about my stepfather. For beginners, I’m afraid of heights because of him. He was an evil, terrible man. I didn’t have a choice that he raised me… H-he involved me in one of his schemes…on a ledge…” Her voice trembled.