Marrying the Enemy

by Nicola Marsh

  He’d trusted her with his demons.

  He’d trusted her with his heart.

  She’d thrown the lot back in his face.

  He knew what that felt like, having someone he loved reject him.

  It made it all the worse.

  Ruby’s apparent disregard for his ring and the sentiment behind it hurt as much as his dad’s deliberate alienation.

  He’d stood by Denver, and Denver hadn’t had the decency to contact him once since his incarceration.

  He’d stood by his mum through the trial and beyond, and she’d left him anyway.

  He’d stood by Ruby, genuinely wanting to see Seaborn’s succeed through her efforts, and she’d virtually thrown it back in his face.

  Damn, it hurt. Hurt more than Denver and Jackie’s betrayal together.

  Even now, after rehashing that last scene between them and mulling at length, he couldn’t believe he’d got it so wrong.

  He’d seen the love in her eyes so many times, he’d been sure of it. Sure enough to order that ring.

  But she didn’t want a ring. She wanted an adjunct to her master plan to save Seaborn’s. That was it. End of story.

  Man, he’d been an idiot. Made a prized ass of himself in the process.

  Something Sapphire Seaborn had told him while warning him off resounded.

  ‘...it’s what Ruby always does. Throws herself headlong into any situation, giving one hundred per cent, living in the moment without thought for the future... Don’t mistake her gung-ho nature for anything it’s not...’

  Was that what she’d done with them? Thrown herself into making the marriage work for what she could get out of it—Seaborn’s survival?

  Had he done exactly what Sapphire had warned, mistaking her gung-ho nature for love?

  What a fool.

  The kicker? He couldn’t change the plans he’d instigated. Whether he liked it or not, he was stuck in Melbourne now for the foreseeable future.

  A boon for Maroney Mine, a kick in the guts for him.

  Not that he had to see her much. He’d cite escalating interstate work pressures if anyone questioned their living arrangements. He was man enough to accompany her to the odd function for appearances’ sake and as soon as the time was right and his business deals in place he’d file for divorce.

  Simple.

  But it wasn’t and he’d be lying to himself if he thought otherwise.

  He couldn’t get her expression when he’d given her the ring out of his mind.

  Disappointment. Sadness. And something akin to devastation.

  That confounded him. She wouldn’t have been devastated unless she cared, deeply. So why the disappointment? He’d told her it was a promise ring.

  A promise he’d be around for the long haul, to explore their burgeoning feelings.

  Terrified of his own feelings and unsure of hers, he hadn’t wanted to rush her. That ring had been a prelude to another that he wanted to give her, once he was sure she wanted this marriage to work as much as he did.

  He stumbled as he disembarked, glaring at a hostess who offered a hand and a flirtatious smile.

  In that moment, it hit him. Maybe the stumble had jolted something loose in his clouded brain, for he recognised what her disappointment might have been about.

  Maybe it wasn’t disappointment in him?

  Maybe it was disappointment he hadn’t given her more?

  Had she wanted a proper engagement ring from him? Had she anticipated it with the ring box?

  Damn, he’d screwed up.

  He’d let his own insecurities and trust issues mess with his one shot at happiness with a woman who accepted him for who he was, faults and all.

  He strode through the domestic terminal, eager not to miss his connecting flight.

  The faster he took care of this handover at the mine, the faster he could get back to Melbourne to take care of more important business.

  The business of ensuring his marriage transcended the platonic and stayed that way.

  * * *

  Ruby had spent a week holed away in her workshop. She’d created countless new pieces and completed commissions, including the stunning pink diamond engagement ring that made her heart ache.

  She’d created a masterpiece, using fantasy cuts to illuminate the flawless stone’s clarity, the white gold gipsy setting accentuating rather than detracting from the diamond’s brilliance.

  It was her finest work yet and she knew deep down she’d poured her yearning for a ring just like this into its creation.

  She hoped the lucky woman who received it appreciated it.

  How many times had she removed the loupe and laid down the stone during the making for fear the tears blinding her or the slightest quiver in her hands would ruin the ring’s perfection? Too many times and, while she’d yearned for something exactly like it, she was glad to see it finally shipped off to its owner.

  It reminded her too much of what she’d never have.

  After all she’d told Jax, after opening her heart in every way, after showing him with her actions how much she cared, he’d given her a vague brush-off with a ring to seal the deal.

  The same way her mum and Sapphie would treat her: Ruby’s getting a little too enthusiastic, placate her with something.

  And that was exactly what Jax had done.

  Given her a promise ring to keep her happy, while he threw himself into his business and only paid her scant attention when he felt like having sex.

  Harsh, maybe, for she knew he cared. He’d demonstrated it clearly by helping with the auction and by starting to open up to her about his family.

  So they’d moved beyond sex. But not much further beyond if he had any say in it.

  A freaking promise ring. What was he thinking?

  When Mum or Sapphie had given her some trinket or token gesture to keep her happy, she’d gone along with it, burying her hurt at their unwitting condescension.

  Don’t bother pretty little Ruby’s head with the hard stuff, it’ll stifle her creativity.

  Here’s the best diamond crop from WA, Ruby, go do what you do best.

  While they hadn’t used those exact words, that was what they’d implied. Jax might not know it but he’d resurrected a whole host of similar feelings.

  So while she did feel a tad guilty about how she’d reacted to his promise ring, she justified it by blaming him and his classic ‘fight or flight’ behaviour.

  If he’d cared, he would’ve stayed and discovered why she’d freaked out. Instead, he ran. His MO, from what he’d told her.

  It shouldn’t have surprised her, because it must’ve taken a monumental shift in mentality for him to confide his family secrets to her, but he’d run all the same.

  Sure, he’d called and emailed and texted, saying he had urgent business at the mine but he wanted to see her on his return.

  She’d see him, all right. To clarify the terms of a marriage that should’ve stayed platonic right from the start.

  She’d keep up appearances for the sake of Seaborn’s—she’d been through too much, including having her heart broken, to botch the deal now.

  But make no mistake, when she confronted Jax on his return, gone would be the love-struck fool she’d become.

  He only understood business?

  Fine, business it would be.

  With the terms strictly in her favour.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  IF JAX planned on starting a life with Ruby in Melbourne, a rich life filled with love and laughter, he had to confront his demons first.

  The only reason why he’d gone through the humiliating process of signing in and leaving his belongings with a guard so he could see his father.

  He still didn’t know what he hoped to achieve coming here, beyond facing up to his past and ensuring it wasn’t as scary as he’d built it up to be.

  Not scary in a fearful sense. Scary in a way he might have an ounce of his dad in him.

  When he saw Ruby again, he wanted to d
o it with a light heart, with his intentions clear.

  To do that, he needed to confront Denver first.

  He sat on a cold plastic chair, his gaze fixed on the metal door behind the perspex separating the prisoners from the public.

  He wanted to see his father’s expression the moment he set sight on him for the first time in ten years. For no other reason than to see if Denver recognised the son he’d never contacted once.

  Apparently Denver had been in constant contact with the media—but never him.

  It irked as much as him being in here.

  How many times had he faced jibes and taunts from so-called mates about his jailbird dad? How many job interviews had been politely terminated once they learned of his father’s talent for embezzling? How many times had he stormed around his apartment, impotent with rage, that for every inroad he made in the corporate world he had his limited success ripped away by the simple fact he was Denver Maroney’s son?

  Countless, humiliating burrs that had stuck in his craw, spurring him on to greater heights in Western Australia.

  Now he was back in Melbourne to stay, if Ruby would have him.

  And that meant ensuring his dad’s tarnished reputation couldn’t touch him again.

  The door opened and his fingers curled into fists as his father entered the room behind the perspex, shoulders back, head held high, gaze challenging and cocky. If it weren’t for the shackles binding his wrists, Jax could’ve sworn his dad hadn’t aged a day.

  Denver sat opposite and picked up the phone they needed to communicate with. Jax did the same, waiting for a word, one word that his dad cared for anybody but himself.

  An apology? The least Denver could do.

  An explanation? Damn right.

  ‘Well, well, the prodigal son returns.’

  Struck dumb with disbelief, all Jax could do was shake his head.

  After all this time, that was all his dad had to say to him?

  ‘Took you long enough to come visit.’ Denver smirked. ‘Or is this because I’m getting out soon and you want to get in good with the old man again?’

  Jax couldn’t think of one person in this world he totally despised but in that moment, he came close.

  Acid churned in his gut and he waited for the cramping to subside before speaking.

  ‘Why?’

  One word asking myriad questions.

  Why did he steal that money?

  Why did he use Jackie?

  Why did he screw over their friends?

  Why did he ignore his son who’d stood by him through everything: the trial, the sentencing, the first day in jail?

  So many questions but his chances of answers ranked up there with getting an apology from his dad: a big fat zero.

  Denver frowned, his smug smile gone. ‘Why what?’

  Needing to make this one question count, Jax gripped the phone tight and leaned forward until his nose almost touched the perspex.

  ‘Why did you burn the one person who remained by your side through everything?’

  His vocal cords seized with long-festering bitterness and he cleared his throat. ‘I stood by you, Dad, and once you were in here I ceased to exist for you.’

  He jabbed a finger in his direction, wishing he could thump the perspex with his fist. ‘I want to know why,’ he said into the phone. ‘It’s the least you owe me.’

  He expected Denver to walk away. His dad was good at that.

  Instead, the arrogance in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a glassy resignation. Only then did Jax finally notice the changes time had wrought: the wrinkles creasing his neck, the lines fanning out from his mouth and eyes, and what looked like a permanent groove between his brows. Looked as if Denver had done more frowning than smiling in jail.

  To his dad’s credit he didn’t walk away. Or look away, for that matter.

  He eyeballed him with a perturbing mix of affection and regret.

  Static crackled down the phone, the silence unnerving.

  He’d been a fool to come here. If his father hadn’t contacted him in ten years, no way in hell he’d get answers now.

  He moved to hang up the phone when Denver’s lips finally moved.

  ‘You were going places, and the only place I was going was here. I didn’t want you tainted by what I’d done.’

  Jax released the breath he’d been holding. ‘That’s bull. If you’d really felt like that, you wouldn’t have done half the things you did anyway.’

  Jax shook his head, ten years’ worth of resentment threatening to spew forth. ‘You used mum just like you used your friends. You sure as hell didn’t give a stuff about me. You did what you wanted to do and screw everyone else.’

  Denver didn’t look away and a small part of Jax admired him for it.

  ‘That’s the thing about jail. Not much on offer in the way of recreation, gives a man a lot of time to think.’ Denver rubbed his chin. ‘I’ve been doing a lot of that over the years, thinking. The thing is, son, there’s nothing I can say or do to change the past. I did bad things. I hurt a lot of people, including the ones I loved. Am I sorry? Hell yeah. Do I have regrets? I live with them every day. Do I wish my life was different? You bet.’

  Denver paused. ‘Sure, I wanted to reach out to you every day for the last ten years but I couldn’t. It wouldn’t be fair. Not after all you’d done for me.’

  Jax couldn’t speak if he wanted to. Words clogged his throat: words of recrimination, words of disbelief.

  His dad had always been a master at spinning a yarn; that much hadn’t changed.

  ‘The first six months in here were pretty dire. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t think life was worth living and I tried to make that happen. I failed, just like I’d failed at everything my whole life. Then your mother came to visit, said you’d inherited the mine, how my incarceration had affected your business opportunities in Melbourne, and I made my decision.’

  He made a slicing action across his neck. ‘To sever all ties with you, for your own good. I’d dragged you down enough. You didn’t need me and I didn’t need you.’

  Denver clamped his lips shut as if he’d said too much before shaking his head.

  ‘Dad—’

  ‘But I lied about that too. Because I needed you. I’ve always needed you, son. You’re the one good thing in my life.’

  Jax ignored the surge of hope slashing through the years of built-up antipathy. Denver had always been glib, his gift of the gab legendary. That was probably what this was, more of the same.

  ‘What about Mum?’

  Regret shadowed Denver’s eyes. ‘I told her to run and never look back. I’d wrecked her life enough. She deserved better than me.’

  Stunned at Denver’s revelations, he stared at his dad demonstrating true emotion, something he didn’t think him capable of.

  If the old man could do it, why couldn’t he? He’d spent too many years suppressing emotion, feeding his bitterness when in reality he’d been imprisoned by his own demons just like his dad.

  His love for Ruby was real, an emotion that ran deep and pure and true.

  Ironic, he’d been afraid of being like his dad, an emotional cripple devoid of truly connecting with anyone bar his narcissistic self.

  Hearing his dad’s confession, realising Denver did care—enough to sacrifice contact that would’ve sustained him through the term of his incarceration—showed him the Maroney men were capable of feeling after all.

  ‘Why did you come here, Jax?’

  He pondered his answer carefully, not quite ready to forgive the sins of the past just yet.

  ‘Ten years is a long time, Dad. Times change. Hopefully people can too.’

  Wise to his implication, Denver nodded. ‘I have no idea when the appeal is or the probable outcome, but know this. When I get out, I’m starting afresh, and hoping to make amends.’

  A start. As long as Denver’s fresh start didn’t include dragging his name through hell again. Last thing Jax needed when he was finally on top
was his dad’s reputation ruining all he’d achieved.

  ‘I’m heading bush. Finding the quietest country town I can, changing my name, living the quiet life. If I’m exceptionally lucky, your mother won’t have moved on, she’ll find her way back to me and I’ll finally make an honest woman out of her.’

  Jax didn’t believe in fairy tales or happily ever afters. And after the number of lies Denver had told to his closest friends before ripping them off, he had a hard time believing him now. But for his dad’s sake, he hoped he stayed true to his goals.

  ‘Good luck, Dad.’

  Denver’s hand shook as he replaced the receiver before snatching it back at the last moment. ‘I’m going to stay out of your way, son, I promise.’

  Jax had had enough of his dad’s empty promises in the past, but considering what he’d learned today he was in a charitable mood.

  ‘We’ll see what happens when you get out and find that place in the country.’

  Denver nodded and hung up, signalling to the guard to take him back.

  Jax felt nothing but relief as his dad walked away, his heavy heart considerably lighter than when he’d arrived.

  Yeah, the Maroney men were capable of redemption.

  He now had to make his wife believe it.

  * * *

  Ruby had contemplated changing the locks while Jax had been away. Childish? Yeah, but she hadn’t been thinking straight since he left.

  The realisation she might have overreacted about the promise ring didn’t help.

  The longer she thought about it, the more cringe-worthy her reaction became. What had she been expecting? They barely knew each other, had fallen headfirst into a sham marriage that had miraculously morphed into something more all too quickly and she’d expected that ring to be a lifelong promise?

  She could apologise when he returned. But she wouldn’t.

  They had a business deal and love wasn’t on the agenda. And she didn’t have time to sit around and wait, hoping his promise might turn to something deeper.

  She loved him.

  She needed him to love her back.

  Now. Not some time in the future, if ever.

  That wasn’t enough for her. She deserved more. She wanted more. She wanted it all.