The Italian Billionaire’s Scandalous Marriage: An Italian Billionaire Romance (Italian Billionaire Christmas Brides Book 2)

by Mollie Mathews

  The anxiety she’d felt about confiding in him, that he may think she was an emotional train-wreck, or that he wouldn’t care, now melted away like ice warmed by the sun.

  She swallowed the boulder of emotion that lodged in her throat. ‘You see…I never fitted in with the glittering life my family led in New York. I was not the daughter my mother wanted. And I was most definitely not the child my step-father considered an asset. So, when I received the letter telling me of my inheritance it was the only link to my past. I desperately wanted to believe that somewhere, someone loved me. That, had things been different, I might have felt I belonged…that I was loved. Unconditionally. Not because of the way I looked, or how much money my family had, or for who I might marry—but for me. Just me. But It was hard. It’s still hard. Because if my real father had cared, why didn’t he come for me?’

  ‘He couldn’t come to you, mia cara. He was a wanted man. After my father died, he never surrendered himself to the authorities. He simply vanished. Now we know he changed his name and assumed a new identity. If he’d tried to leave New Zealand, chances are he would have been arrested for manslaughter. Maybe even murder,’ Vitali explained carefully.

  ‘And that would have dragged my mother and the whole messy tragedy into the public eye,’ he said. ‘I’m sure he did think…you were better off without him. We all were. What sort of life would you have had if there was the merest suspicion your father was a murderer? He made the ultimate sacrifice. For you. For me. For all of us.’

  ‘I know that now,’ Alex said painfully. ‘I guess I knew it when I went in search of him, and Lost Love. I knew something dreadful had happened to him…’ her eyes begged his belief as she added. ‘…but I didn’t know how much you had suffered, Vitali. I truly didn’t. I’m sorry. I just wanted…’

  ‘To take from us what we had taken from you and your father,’ he said as Alex floundered for words.

  ‘No!’ she shook her head, helpless to explain exactly what she had wanted. ‘You can’t get what’s forever lost. I thought if I came here…’ She looked up at the mountains. ‘If I watched the sunset…’

  Vitali stepped forward and turned her face to his. His green eyes questioned without any hint of the skepticism Alex was accustomed to seeing in them. ‘You really don’t care about money—or gold. That’s not why you married me, is it?’

  ‘No. It’s not. I wanted other things, Vitali. Things that I’ve been looking for my whole life.’ Her mouth curved in a dry half-smile. ‘I guess…somewhere…a place for me. And to be wanted…unconditionally. The driving need to be wanted…and to belong…somewhere.’

  ‘And is this the place you want, Alex?’ he asked, quietly, seriously.

  ‘Yes,’ she answered truthfully. She wanted to add “home is where the heart is – and my heart is with you.” But it sounded too clichéd, too corny for the seriousness of the occasion. She couldn’t make Vitali love her, but he was her husband. And she was falling desperately in love with him. Now that she had found him, she didn’t want to live without Vitali.’

  He picked a piece of dried tussock from her hair, gently tucking a disheveled blonde coil back from her face. He had a strange, almost whimsical look in his eyes. ‘Perhaps Simon was right,’ he said. ‘And this is the resolution.’

  He gave a little shake of his head, and his expression became more resolute, his voice flat but not unsympathetic. ‘It was your father who found the gold seam, Alexi. As far as I’m concerned, you had the moral right to his share. Except we could never find it to give it to him. If Ted had wanted to find us he knew where we were. But he never did. And we thought…let the past go. It seemed the only resolution. But I wasn’t expecting you. How could I? The daughter I didn’t even know existed.’

  His thumb grazed softly down her cheek. ‘You keep surprising me. I had you figured with no feelings at all. Except revenge. And now…I have to concede that I was wrong.’

  ‘I should have confided in you earlier,’ she said, relieved to finally be dropping the pretense. ‘I guess I’ve always had a problem with trust.’ she shrugged. ‘If I’d opened up to you earlier…of course I must have seemed that way to you—not knowing what game I was playing until it…Oh, God, Vitali…it’s not too late for us is it?’

  ‘No, Alexi. It’s not too late. In fact, I sense it’s just the beginning. We were both to blame. Both lumping our baggage and tortured pasts around,’ he said softly. ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to create a new life story. Something that ends with “happily ever after.”

  The unexpected emotional intimacy erased the fears and inhibitions that had been devouring her confidence. But she sensed that to firmly close the door on the old they must both first make peace with the past. ‘Please, Vitali…please help me understand a little of my father.’

  ‘From a child’s perspective?’

  ‘Yes, who was the man you knew as a young boy?’

  ‘He had a great imagination—always telling us stories. But what I remember most about him was his smile—he always had a smile. I never heard him say a cross word to anyone. He was the kindest man I ever knew, Alexi. I guess I was stubborn. I wanted to believe the worst of him to block out the memories of that horrible night—and the truth I didn’t dare face. He didn’t deserve my hatred. You would have loved him. He was a lot like you.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she said, huskily. ‘It means a lot to me.’

  ‘You’re welcome,’ he said gruffly. ‘At least I had some years with my dad even if he wasn’t a gold medalist in the father-of-the-year department.’

  His hand trailed from her cheek and he moved away from her. He took a few steps to the side of the Rātā tree, then stood staring up at the mountains her father had painted.

  ‘If it hadn’t been for my mother your father and mine would have been lifelong friends instead of rivals. They liked each other. It was the liking that made everything so much worse. Because it made the passion more intense. I understand all that now. I didn’t then.’

  The graveled tone of his voice carried painful emotions and Alex moved instinctively to his side and touched his arm in tentative sympathy. ‘I didn’t mean to bring it all back to you, Vitali.’

  He looked down at her, and for a moment she saw, mirrored in his eyes, the same aching loneliness that she herself had known for so long. His arm lifted and curled around her shoulders, pulling her close to him.

  ‘You came halfway around the world to see this sunset, mia cara. Look. It’s starting.’

  The flaming sun had turned the mountains to molten gold. The blazing oranges and golds eventually subsided into violet shadows which saturated the sky before creeping over the land. Slowly, the reflection of the dying blaze turned the landscape to sleepy blues. It was an awesome display of nature’s alchemy. Alex could see why her father had painted it as he had. She hoped he was at peace now, just as they were.

  It felt good…deeply companionable…watching it together…sharing. For once there were no barriers between them. When Vitali turned back towards the camp, Alex was content to go, to finally put the past behind her and match her step with his wherever he led.

  Jack and Rangi had a billy over a fire, and dinner was well on the way to being cooked. Their grins stretched over their cheek as they showed off their outdoor culinary skills to Vitali, and grabbed the opportunity to ply him with questions about the muster. Alex listened to his replies, happy that he kept her at his side, his arm still curved around her. He didn’t let her go until they sat down to eat their meal.

  A slow and eerie new moon cast an entirely different light over the landscape …dreamy and full of new beginnings. Alex was glad when the meal was over and Vitali quietly invited her to share his sleeping-bag. And that was different too. He made no attempt to make love to her—instead he held her almost as if she were a child needing comfort.

  ‘I’m glad you came,’ she murmured. ‘I didn’t think you’d get back until tomorrow.’

  ‘I’d finished all that I
wanted to do and the men all reckoned that a new wife rated a higher priority than any help I could give them.’ She could hear a smile in his voice. ‘I was inclined to agree.’

  She snuggled closer and he rubbed his cheek over her hair in a sweetly tender manner.

  ‘Do you still resent marrying me?’

  ‘Something good might come of it yet.’ His voice hummed with smug satisfaction. ‘And if my memory serves me correctly, it was you who married me. I proposed you accepted.’

  ‘Only after suitable deliberation,’ she countered, smiling to herself. ‘I did check out your form first.’

  ‘I stacked up then?’ he asked, clearly amused.

  ‘You seemed a good bet.’

  His arm tightened around her then slowly relaxed. His hand ruffled gently through her hair. ‘I’m glad I came to find you. It’s strange…but I feel at peace with everything…even myself.’

  ‘Yes,’ she sighed, feeling a wonderfully warm glow of satisfaction.

  ‘You know—we have something else to be grateful to your father for, he said, after a moment’s silence.

  ‘What’s that?’ She murmured.

  ‘If it wasn’t for your dad protecting us all like he did, people would be gossiping about our scandalous marriage.’ She could well imagine the headlines.

  He said no more and Alex didn’t break the silence. Eventually she fell asleep to the soothing rhythm of his contented heartbeat.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  When they finally arrived home the next morning after a wonderful night of getting to know each other more deeply, they went into Bob’s office to talk about the area they were going to fence off for the experimental breeding of Alpacas. There was a detailed map of the whole station on the wall, and, while Alex had studied it before, it was far more real to her now that she could visualize the terrain.

  She listened to Vitali and Bob discuss the pros and cons of various sites, and both men made her feel very much part of the discussion. They even looked to her for agreement when the decision was finally made.

  Alex felt it was probably the happiest day of her life, and the new sense of togetherness that had been forged with Vitali grew in the days that followed. They took time to understand each other, and their conversations became less and less guarded.

  The men came home from the muster, and as was the custom, a day-long hangi was held at the homestead. Huge sides of beef were lowered into smoldering knee deep pits which had been filled with wood and piled high with volcanic stones and heated for hours beforehand. Flax baskets were lowered on top, full of potatoes, kumara, carrots and onions, and then covered with clean damp hessian sacks, before being completely covered with a mound of soil. It was then left to steam in the smoldering earth for three hours. It was a huge feast that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Alex had never tasted food so succulent and tender.

  Vitali introduced Alex to all the stockmen and good-humoredly laughed at the coarse jokes lobbied his way. It was plain that they were glad to see him happy, and they all welcomed Alex with open-hearted friendliness. After all, any woman who could rope and brand their boss had to be extra special.

  And, much to Alex’s joy, Vitali’s changed attitude towards her gave them no argument on that score. Gone was the indulgence of a dominant male to “the little woman.” In its place was the easy camaraderie of partners who were attuned to each other.

  Pride there certainly was, just as she was proud to have him as her husband. And as far as any physical expression of their relationship was concerned, Vitali had no reluctance whatsoever about demonstrating that he loved her, whether it was simply a hand at her waist or an arm around the shoulders.

  As the day wore into evening, the men brought out an array of musical instruments including guitars, accordions, harmonicas and banjos. The stockmen played with considerable skill and the Maori men had voices that brought tears to her eyes. It was simple entertainment but Alex couldn’t remember having enjoyed an evening more. As she and Vitali walked back to the house she knew she was happier with tonight’s entertainment than any of the sophisticated cultural events available in New York.

  The next few days were busy for them both. Vitali began giving Alex the flying lessons he'd promised. The new fencing for the Alpacas was in full swing. Alex was persuaded to talk to the school children about the Andes and the way of life there.

  They enjoyed it so much the school mistress suggested Alex give “The Art of Travel” workshops, sharing with the children her travel journeys and boosting their awareness of the fascinating cultural diversity and opportunities that exist in the world.

  Alex was delighted. Maybe some of the children may be inspired to raise their horizons, she thought, and set forth themselves, whilst others would get a taste of places and people they may never see. She combined story-telling with plenty of hands-on activities, such as cooking and art, reflecting the chosen country’s culture.

  And to everyone’s pleasure, Alex also gave the children photography lessons. They learnt how to take panoramic photos of the landscape, capturing the rugged beauty of the terrain using the best light, and experimenting with unusual angles.

  Her workshops soon became a regular fixture, and Alex was pleased to be helpful and inspire others. Other than these journeys back into her past Alex has virtually forgotten about the life she had left behind.

  A call from her mother upended that.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  She and Vitali had just finished breakfast one morning and were about to set out to inspect the progress of the fencing when Bob called out from his office.

  ‘Alex…there an international call for you. It’s New York.’

  ‘My mother,’ she said to Vitali as she hurried along the deck, toward the phone. ‘She’s probably calling about what clothes to send me—or with more questions about you,’

  ‘Maybe I’d better monitor your answers,’ he teased as he strolled after her.

  But Alex was wrong on both counts. And Elizabeth Spencer was very decisive about what she wanted.

  ‘Alexandra, I’ve booked a flight to Christchurch. It gets in early Sunday morning. Charles has arranged for a limousine to pick me up at the airport and take me to a hotel. I’ll spend several days there to recover from my trip. I want to know how to get to Gold Ridge Station after that.’

  Alex was so thrown she was lost for words. Why on earth would her mother even contemplate getting her Manolo Blahniks dirty in the high country? Surely they could Skype instead?

  Vitali, who had heard the conversation, took over the call.

  ‘Mrs Spencer, this is Vitali Rossi. I would be pleased to arrange your transportation. I’ll have one of my men contact you and confirm. My jet will be standing by to fly you here. It is no trouble. In fact, it will be my—our absolute pleasure.’ he added winking at Alex.

  Alex’s brow furrowed as she wondered what possible reasons her mother had for suddenly wanting to travel half way around the world to visit her.

  ‘Oh! That’s awfully kind of you…I do hate to be a bother.’ Her mother sounded flustered by his willingness to go out of his way.

  ‘It’s no trouble at all. We look forward to making you feel at home here at Gold Ridge Station. I’ll hand you back to Alex now. Goodbye, Mrs Spencer.’

  Alex still hadn’t recovered her composure. ‘Mom? Did you get my letter?’

  ‘Yes, dear. And the photographs. I’ve never seen you look more radiant.’ There was a slight catch in her voice.’ You looked beautiful—and happy.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Alex managed weakly.

  ‘I’ve packed the things you asked for,’ her mother added briskly. ‘I’ll bring them with me.’

  ‘It’s a long way to travel just to bring jeans and socks,’ Alex said.

  ‘I want to see how you are—where you are. I must confess I’m more than a little intrigued. And of course, I’d like to meet my son-in-law in person.’ Alex thought she heard the tiniest tremble in her voice.

  ‘Of course,
’ Alex affirmed, pulling herself together. ‘My husband and I will look forward to seeing you too, Mom.’

  It was only after she had put down the receiver that the full ramifications of her mother’s visit hit her like a sledgehammer. She shot Vitali a look of urgent appeal as they left the office. ‘There are some things I have to tell you. Some things I have to explain.’

  Vitali raised a quizzical eyebrow. ‘I doubt there’s anything your mother can throw at me that I can’t handle, Alex.’

  ‘It’s not that. She’s far too polite to say anything critical to you. Although she has an ingrained snobbery and social-mindedness that will probably test your patience. But it won’t be a long visit. This isn’t her kind of world. If you know Manhattan society at all.’

  ‘Mia cara, she either accepts us and the way we want to live, or she doesn’t,’ Vitali said firmly. ‘I will extend every courtesy to your mother. How she reacts to Gold Ridge Station is her business. I hope her reactions will be favorable. If not, she can leave whenever she wishes. Her visit is not a problem to me.’ His eyes were sharply watchful as he added, ‘I didn’t marry your mother. I married you.’

  ‘My mother doesn’t know anything about my father’s connection to this place. Or to your family. Or to the gold mine. Only about the paintings. So there’s no point in mentioning the past.’

  ‘I agree. But if your mother ever mentions Ted.’

  ‘I very much doubt it,’ Alex interrupted, hurt bleeding from her words ‘My father has always been a black smudge on my mother’s finery.’

  Vitali eyed her curiously. ‘You have my attention.’

  Alex’s mouth twisted in bitter irony. ‘He was a mistake. I was a mistake. They married because of me. Having an illegitimate child was hardly respectable. Especially for a woman of my mother’s breeding. I was the daughter they never wanted.’

  She dragged in a deep breath and tried to shrug off the negative image. ‘Don’t misunderstand me—my mother tried to do her best. We’re just so different. I like freedom, she likes security. I love adventure, she clings to safety. I balk at conformity, she clamors for acceptance. At any cost.’ Alex felt her old hurts rise, as though demanded to be exorcised.