Even though she’d never liked the idea of the press being in their lives from the very beginning. She’d wanted to protect Matthew… and herself.
Damn it. He kicked another sand bag and scraped his fingers across his brow. He’d exposed her to the danger he’d accused her of bringing into his world after she’d already tried to fend it off by herself.
He’d promised to shield her and had failed miserably.
Something ached low, his nose itched, and he fought back the painful prickling sensation behind his eyes. He closed them, swiping hard, then opened them again to take in the expansive space Roxy had joyfully called her sanctuary.
She was everywhere. She was in the bits and pieces of stone she’d carved. She was in the sunlight that danced and reflected off her sculpting equipment. And she was in the pieces of art that she’d completed and had just started to create for her new clients.
Only one remained shrouded in a tarp. The piece she refused to show him whenever he came to visit her, sometimes to sneak a kiss or to convince her to put down her tools and join him for an afternoon of fun.
She’d been hiding something all along, he thought as he picked his way through the saw tables and sandbags to take a closer look at her secret project. Curiosity, and a desire to understand the truth, propelled him to carefully lift the fabric and pull it off.
The sculpture that greeted his gaze shattered everything he’d believed about Roxy’s motivations, and crushed his heart into a million shards.
His throat raw, he traced the delicate lines of the face she’d carved out of the soft soapstone. He paused to take in the curve of Roxy’s cheek and the smile on her lips while she rested her head in the crook of his shoulder. Each of them had one gentle hand placed lovingly on Matthew, who stood between them. And their son—oh his beautiful boy—had been beautifully captured by Roxy all the way to his mischievous grin and tiny dimple.
Stefano’s breath bottled in his lungs. His son. His wife. Dio. How could he have threatened to take Matthew away from his mother when she’d sacrificed everything for their child? How could he have accused Roxy of crimes she hadn’t committed and once again destroyed her faith in him? He looked down and read the single word carved at the base of the sculpture. Famiglia.
Stefano sank to his knees, and covered his eyes. Everything in him felt exposed, and completely twisted inside out. He’d driven the only woman he’d ever loved away because he’d let old wounds blind him to the truth.
Roxy had only wanted one thing. Him. And the family they could build together. Now he’d shoved her out of his life because he’d been a first class idiot.
He couldn’t let her go. Now he’d do everything in his power to prove to her that only she could fill the void in his life and he’d better move fast or he’d never get the chance.
Chapter 17
Roxy plopped a suitcase on the king-sized bed and rushed to open the drawers that housed her clothes. Quickly, she shoved everything she needed—jeans, T-shirts, essentials—into it. Her mind racing, she glanced around the room to check for anything that might belong to Matthew.
His beloved stuffed dinosaur lay on top of the bed where only hours earlier she and Stefano had cuddled their little boy. Choking back a sob, Roxy grabbed the toy and put it inside the suitcase. How could Stefano believe she’d risk their child after everything they’d been through?
Even worse, how could she go on without the only man she’d ever loved? But she had to for Matthew. For herself.
Her cell phone buzzed in her back pocket. God. What would she do about Doug? And Maura? She replied to his awful text and then sank onto the bed, her head in her hands.
There had to be someone to contact who would support her, even if her husband didn’t believe a word she said. Swallowing hard, she shoved her fears aside and texted the one person capable of navigating her through this awful mess.
Gian.
Within minutes, he called in reply to her frantic texts. Relief coursed through her as he outlined a plan to contact the local authorities in Georgia as well as reassuring her that he didn’t doubt her.
“He’ll come around,” Gian said. “Once I show him that he’s wrong.”
“That won’t change how I feel,” she said. “I can’t be with a man who isn’t capable of trusting me. Not anymore. Just let me know when everything is taken care of and don’t fight me on the pre-nup. I won’t give up custody of my son. Stefano will have to figure out how to share Matthew.” And she’d have to learn to live without the only man whom she’d ever loved… but love without trust wasn’t enough. Not anymore.
She’d planned to shower off the dust on her body, but time was of the essence. Instead, she settled for a face wash and retying her ponytail before rolling her suitcase out of the suite of rooms she’d shared with Stefano for two months.
She spotted Carlotta in the hallway with Matthew in her arms. When the housekeeper’s gaze landed on the suitcase trailing behind Roxy, her eyes widened and she stepped back. “What’s going on?”
“I’m leaving,” Roxy said, approaching the dear woman and dreading the goodbye. “And I’m taking Matthew with me. I’ll send for his stuff when I get to a hotel.”
“No.” Carlotta clutched Matthew closer to her. “Señor Stefano told me not to let the little one out of my sight.”
“I don’t give a damn what he said,” Roxy said quietly and held out her arms. “I’m Matthew’s mother. There’s no reason I can’t take our boy on a trip. Legally, he’s mine. Carlotta, please… let me have my son and I promise you’ll see him again.” No way would she stop her boy from knowing this wonderful woman and the family he’d grown to love. But it would be on her terms, not Stefano’s.
A moment passed, and Roxy held her breath, not wanting to wrestle Matthew away from Carlotta. “Please, Carlotta. Let’s not make a scene.”
Carlotta nodded, then passed Matthew over to Roxy. “Stefano won’t like it, but I won’t be caught in the middle.”
“Grazie,” Roxy said, then held Matthew tighter than she’d ever held him before, inhaling his little boy scent of baby shampoo and sunshine and grass. “I promise I’ll be back after Stefano and I arrive at an amicable arrangement.”
“Arrangement? What arrangement?”
Nonno’s voice sliced through the air and she raised her head to catch him walking toward them. Her heart ached for the man, for the loss of his presence now and in the future, and everything in her longed to tell him the truth.
But that was Stefano’s story to tell.
“Nonno,” she said. “I want to stay, but it’s impossible.”
“You don’t love my grandson?” he asked, confusion bringing his brows together.
Tears threatened, but she shoved them down with a firm internal stay-strong reminder. “I love him. I love everyone here, but unfortunately, Stefano doesn’t know how to love me. And I’m sorry. So very sorry. But…” She took Nonno’s withered hand in hers. “I won’t let that come between you and Matthew.” Once she reestablished herself and enforced their prenup, Roxy would do anything to support Matthew’s relationships with his family. Though every encounter would shred her heart all over again. Would she ever be able to be in the same space as Stefano and act like her entire being didn’t crave him, that her heart didn’t yearn for what they’d almost had together?
Here she’d found family. A home to call her own and a place to fulfill every dream she’d possessed, but one. A life filled with love, laughter and happiness.
A ball lodged in her throat when she saw the tears gleaming in Nonno’s eyes. “Where will you go?” he asked gently. “And how can I help?”
Roxy paused. She had been so consumed with getting away and taking Matthew with her that she hadn’t taken the time to make a hotel reservation. “I’ll book something in Positano.” Matthew wiggled in her arms, struggling to get free. “Somewhere close by. I need to borrow the sedan to get there. I’ll arrange for someone to pick it up after we’re settled.” She l
owered him to the ground, but held his pudgy hand in hers while grabbing the suitcase’s handle with her free hand.
She kissed Nonno’s weathered cheeks one by one, then said, “I can’t tell you how much it’s killing me to go, but I have no choice.”
“You do have a choice if you’ll hear me out.”
She whipped her head around to see Stefano striding toward the foyer and the regret in his blue-green eyes held her pinned to the tiled floor while Matthew tugged out of her slackened grip and ran to his father.
* * *
Stefano scooped Matthew into his arms and held him close, his gaze unwavering as he crossed the floor to stand in front of Roxy. “You can’t go,” he said, cuddling their son one more time before lowering him to the ground. “I can’t bear the idea of losing you.”
“You threatened to take away the only thing that mattered to me.” Roxy placed her hands on Matthew’s shoulders. “You jumped to conclusions without listening. There’s no way I’ll raise Matthew in that kind of environment.”
Behind her, Nonno frowned and Carlotta shot Stefano one of her better evil looks. “I was an ass of epic proportions,” Stefano said. “I should never have forced you to marry me to get my grandfather’s approval, but I don’t regret making you mine when I’ve loved you from the moment I first locked eyes with you in that casino all those years ago.”
“You fell in love with an illusion,” Roxy said. “And I can’t live up to your impossible standards. Not then. Not now.”
Pain ripped through his chest. Had he truly lost her forever? “Tesoro, you’ve always been the same person—warm, compassionate, loving.” Stefano fought for the right words to convince Roxy that he was worth another chance. “I’m the idiot who didn’t want to believe in the gift you gave me.”
Carlotta snorted and his grandfather lifted one brow, partly encouraging Stefano and partly rebuking him with a half smile. “I’m the fool who let old hurts color my vision when I should have seen that you’re incapable of deceit or hurting a soul.” He placed his hands on top of Roxy’s, joining her in claiming their son while keeping his touch light, gentle. “I promised I’d protect our family, but I failed you.”
She swallowed hard and nibbled her lower lip. “You didn’t know…,” Roxy said, then glanced down at their joined hands. “But that doesn’t get you off the hook for thinking the worst of me.”
“No, it doesn’t.” He raised his palms, then caressed her cheek while she released Matthew who toddled to Nonno’s side and pulled at his pants, asking to play. “But I’m willing to pay the price of making that gargantuan mistake for an entire lifetime if you’ll let me.” God please let her say she’d give him another chance.
“Doug isn’t going away,” she said. “I contacted Gian. He’s getting the American authorities involved before he does something awful to Maura, but the truth about our marriage will be splattered all over the tabloids.”
“I don’t give a damn about what gossips say,” Stefano said. “You’ve got me on your side. We’ll get rid of Doug and his extortion attempts the old-fashioned way and file charges against him.”
“Then we can go our separate ways? You’ll honor the pre-nup and share custody of Matthew?”
The hurt in her voice made his heart clench. Even worse, she planned to go through with their divorce unless he convinced her that they deserved a genuine shot at growing old together.
“We might have married for all the wrong reasons, but I don’t want to let you go for all the right ones,” Stefano said, holding her gaze.
“Tell me why I should trust you again.”
“Roxy, I only hope you won’t question how much I love you after everything I’ve done to you.” Stefano held her silver gaze. “I thought I knew what I wanted when I coerced you into marrying me. Becoming CEO of Durante Enterprises and proving to my grandfather that I was worthy of the job, the power, and the control. I didn’t think beyond saving the family’s business. You didn’t waver once when I asked you to support me despite how despicably I behaved when we first reunited.”
Again he got an evil look from Carlotta, and a surprised one in Nonno’s face as he lifted Matthew. “Grandfather, I did what was right for Durante Enterprises, but I should have done what was right for Roxy, Matthew, and myself.”
“What do you mean?” Roxy asked.
“None of it matters if you’re not a part of my life.” Stefano cupped her face and dropped his forehead to hers. “I’d give it all up if you’ll take me back, tesoro. You’re the air that I breathe, the sunshine in my life. I was nothing before I met you, alone and empty inside. You filled my heart with your laughter, generosity, and love. Please don’t take that from me. Please, Roxy, give me… give our familgia another chance.”
“You saw the statue,” she whispered, tears trailing down her face.
His heart flipped and thudded so hard against his sternum that he thought he’d burst. Dio. He loved this woman, the mother of his child and the only lover in his heart. “I did. And I want everything that it represents,” he said, kissing her forehead, then the salt from her cheeks. “I love you, ti amo. Now let me prove how much for the rest of our lives.”
Everything he’d dreamed of stood before him with a lifetime of promises in her eyes. “Stefano, I’ve always loved you,” she said. “I only wanted you to find a way to become the man I deserved.”
“Then you’ll stay?” he asked, hope heat radiating through his chest.
“Yes.”
“Bueno.” He fused his mouth against hers, heard the clapping and cheers in Italian swirling around him while his heart soared. Here was where he belonged and he would spend the rest of his life cherishing the woman he loved.
Epilogue
One month later…
Roxy stared at the thirty-story building from the interior of the luxurious Bentley Stefano had hired for their trip to Naples. “I can’t believe this is actually happening… that it’s real,” she said to Stefano. “This would never have been possible without you.”
“My happiness wouldn’t be possible without you,” he said as the driver stepped out of the front seat, circled the car, and opened the door.
They exited the vehicle, then Stefano placed his arm around her waist and they walked together toward the mirrored glass buildings that reflected Naples’ central business district’s skyscrapers and the surrounding hills. The early evening breeze carried the fragrant aroma of lemons and mingled with the coastal bay’s crisp ocean scent as they approached the building.
The last four weeks had been punctuated by a flurry of activity on both sides of the Atlantic. First, the authorities in Georgia had arrested Doug and discovered that he’d only stolen Maura’s cell phone and she wasn’t in imminent danger. Then the tabloids went wild with speculations about Stefano and Roxy’s sham marriage, but they couldn’t compete with the reality of the love glowing in their faces whenever they went out in public.
Soon their scandal evaporated and now the culmination of all Roxy’s hard work would be revealed to the world via tonight’s grand opening.
As they entered the building’s opulent lobby, she hesitated. “I’m nervous,” Roxy said. “What if no one likes it? What if the art critics hate my piece?”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about,” Stefano said, then turned her to face him. “Not when you have me by your side. Just breathe, take it all in. And believe that you’ll have a thousand more moments like this one.”
Her stomach fluttered and happiness bubbled through her. She’d almost lost Stefano to his pride, but now they were two halves of a whole. “The only moments that really matter to me are the ones I share with you,” Roxy said. “I love you, Stefano.”
“And I love you,” Stefano said, caressing her cheeks. “Thank you for giving me one last chance to prove it to you every day for the rest of our lives.” Then he brought his lips to hers and showed her once again that she was the center of his world.
The End
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Read on for an excerpt from REFORMING THE HEARTBREAKER: A Hollywood Heartbreaker Novella
Addison Carrington pulled into Malibu General Hospital’s parking lot. She noted the barrage of news crews, tabloid reporters, and photographers crowding around the entrance and groaned. Ryder Bennett's ass wouldn't be easy to save from the publicity of a car crash that killed his Olympic teammate’s wife, Tiffany. But then nothing about taking over Ryder’s portfolio for her father’s PR agency would be simple.
She checked her face in the mirror. The last time she’d seen Ryder, Addison had been an awkward nerd with a weight problem. But today the woman reflected in the small mirror no longer carried extra pounds or bore the imperfections of blemishes.
Ryder could never hurt her again. Though her heart still fluttered uncontrollably at the thought of seeing him. Something she’d successfully avoided for eight years. Stop it Addison. He’s a way to prove to Father you’re ready to take over the agency after you fix Ryder’s major league screw up. She’d already arranged for someone to head to his Los Angeles penthouse to pack a suitcase of clothes and other essentials. No way would she let the press get a chance to catch him alone.
Carrington Agency’s lawyers had already started negotiations with the District Attorney in charge of the case. Hopefully, they’d avoid a long, drawn out court battle. Deep down, in a place she’d kept closely guarded, Addison didn’t believe Ryder would endanger another person’s life. Maybe a person’s heart, like hers. But not a person’s life. Grabbing her designer black briefcase, she opened her car’s door and stepped with all the confidence she’d worked to attain toward the crowd milling on either side of the front doors.
The Marriage Ultimatum (Contemporary Romance) Page 15