He's Captured My Heart (Captured Series Book 1) (37 page)

Mum
. Shit, I need to speak with her. If this is true, she will be devastated. I finish getting washed, including my hair. I dry and dress in record time, pulling on jeans and a T-shirt. I pull the hairbrush through my hair and put it up in a clip, and then I walk back out to Ethan, who is sitting on the couch with one of the newspapers in his hand. I sit at the other end of the
couch. He hands me the paper. The front page has a picture of Alex and Katherine. His arm is around her waist. I feel myself start to shake. She loves him—that much is obvious. It looks as if they are about to kiss. Her hand rests against his jaw. I toss the paper away as my eyes fill with tears. Ethan is at my side with a protective arm around me.

“Shh, it’s all right,” he whispers. But I need him to tell me the whole story.

“Ethan, I want to hear what you know. All of it, please. Don’t leave anything out.”

“Are you sure you’re ready?” I nod, not really sure that I am. “Okay, then, here goes. Alex is Dad’s first high-profile celeb in a while. The PR business has taken a tumble over the past year and a half. This is fact. I know, because before Lindsay’s death, I was working with him on some advertising. All his other business interests were and still are going well. You know how well the hotel is going; it’s never been in a stronger position, and a lot of that is down to you.”

“But I’ve only been manager a short time.”

“That may be so, but think of all the work you did here even before you were appointed. Everything was in preparation. This hotel is your life, and it has been for years. You dreamed of this place being yours since—god, I don’t remember when. You were always the one to come here at weekends and help out wherever Granddad would let you. I could never see myself here working. Right. Well, it was Dad’s
original plan for me to spend time with Alex. I could have coped with some of the publicity without much problem. You know—big-time PR guru’s son and American businessman become friends. I show him the sights, get him seen in all the right places. I could go on. Mum and Lindsay knew about this. There was no need to tell you; we all wanted you to concentrate on your studies and the hotel.”

“But something happened…”

“Yes. Libby, you know money was not the driving force behind this. If it didn’t work, they wouldn’t lose anything. But Dad enjoys the lifestyle his PR business brings. He craves the attention. He’s missed it. And his plan fell apart when Lindsay…. and I became next to useless. If I am honest with you, I never gave any of it a second thought. I had completely forgotten about it until I saw the first pictures of the two of you in the papers.”

“I see.” I don’t see, but I want him to keep talking.

“Dad still needed someone to show Alex about, and you and he were both going to be staying at the same place. And let’s face it—you make for much more interesting reading than me. And the pictures, they sold a story of their own. Dad would
never
have gotten as much publicity out of me. Dad made arrangements for a photographer to be at the football and here again on Sunday, just to get a few snaps of you two together. You were only meant to be seen in each other’s company a few times.
To arouse speculation. You know—will they, won’t they? Nothing like the pictures that first made the papers. Dad was just as surprised as the rest of us, with those. You and Alex look so good together in those.”

That does it. I can’t hold the tears back any longer. The dam has well and truly burst. So everything was a lie, and I was the only one who didn’t know? I can’t believe they’ve done this to me. If I had at least known about it, I could have saved my feelings—and my heart.

“So let’s get this straight. You all knew about Dad’s grand plan? Even when you saw how I felt, you went along with it? Here’s foolish Libby, falling for it all, hook, line, and sinker. You know what? I don’t know Alex that well, so I can’t say I am surprised by him. He took Dad’s plan that one stage further. He led me on, making me think…well, what does it matter what I think? It was all one big lie,” I say. I pause to wipe the tears from my face. “But all of you… you’re my family. You lied to me! I can’t even begin to explain how I feel right now.”

“Libby, I’m so sorry.”

“Sorry!” I shout. “Sorry won’t cut it. Right now I don’t want to see you. Any of you. After everything I’ve done for you, this is how you treat me?”

“Libby…”

“Ethan, I don’t want to hear it. Just get out!” I shout, pushing him away from me. I can’t bear the
sight of him just now, and that hurts more than anything else. The hurt in his eyes: it’s too little, too late.

“Just go,” I growl.

He gets up and leaves, closely the door quietly behind him. I’m left sitting on the couch alone. I pull my legs up close to my chest and start rocking slightly. The tears don’t stop. I’ve been betrayed by the ones I love most. I wonder if even Mum knew.

I am not sure how long I’ve been sitting here. My phone has been going almost constantly, but I’ve ignored it. I really don’t want to speak with anyone. There is a light knock on my room door.

“Libby, please. It’s Sarah. Can I come in?”

I walk over to open the door.

“Oh, Libby, sweetheart.” She pulls me into a tight embrace. “It’s all right. Everything will be okay.”

“I’ve been such a fool.”

“No, sweetie, you haven’t. Come on. Let’s sit down so we can talk.” We move over to the couch. “Have you eaten anything since you got up?”

“No.”

“Okay. Let me order you some toast and tea. You need to try and eat.”

Sarah orders some room service for us both, tea and toasted sandwiches, before settling down beside me on the couch.

“Ethan came to see me after you threw him out. He said he hadn’t yet let you know what the nurse said this morning.”

“I didn’t give that a thought.”

“Not surprising. Okay, your blood pressure is still a bit high, but your temperature was nearly back to normal then, and I think we can say your temperature is probably okay now. She checked your back as well and said it already looked better. We have to change the dressing again tonight. She said that if we had any concerns when you woke, we were supposed to get the doctor back out. So apart from the obvious, how are you feeling?”

“Sarah, I’ve not given myself a thought, to be honest.”

“I had a feeling you might say that. Can you think about it now? You gave everyone a scare last night. I was really worried about you.”

“I feel much, much better than last night. No dizziness. Thank you for staying with me.”

“No need to thank me,” she says. She takes a deep breath. “Alex would never have forgiven me for not staying with you.”

“I think we both know that’s not true. Alex couldn’t care less about me.”

“Oh, sweetie, that’s not true. He’s been calling nonstop since Ethan first called your mother last night. Both your dad and Alex will be here any time now.”

“I don’t want to see
either
of them.”

“I think you should hear them out. They’ve both been going out of their minds with worry for you.
Listen. Ethan has told me the story, so I think I know most of it. People do things for lots of reasons, and we don’t always agree with them. But I think you should listen to what they have to say. I’m not happy with Alex—that’s one of the reasons I’m still here—and I plan to let him know exactly how I feel. I’ve seen the pictures of that woman and read the stories, so he has me to face when he gets here. And believe me, if I have any doubts about his answers, well, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, I suppose.”

“Sarah, how can I face either of them? They’ve both lied to me! And as for Alex, I feel so foolish for letting things go so far between us. He said…he even said he loved me, but he was just using me—for publicity. I don’t care about Katherine, but it’s obvious from the pictures how much she loves him. So I now I have to ask myself another question: did he use me to make her jealous?”

“Libby, I think you’re right that Katherine is in love. But she’s in love with the global spotlight that surrounds Alex. Do I think she loves
him
as a person? I have to say no. Do I think he loves her? I know that the answer to that is no. He feels guilty for what happened to her, and as I told you last night, she uses that to her advantage. Do I think Alex has used you for publicity? I’m not sure. He’s never needed to use anyone. And as for the pictures of you two, I can honestly say he’s never looked happier—and he’s not a very good liar. He bursts with pride when he speaks
about you. When I think back to Sunday, when you were attacked, he was beside himself with worry about you. I believe he cares about you a great deal. I can believe that he loves you. Could there be more between you? My answer to that question is yes, but that’s up to the both of you. Libby, you are a strong, intelligent, and independent woman. If you want to, you’ll work things out.”

Room service arrives. Sarah pours the tea for us both. This must be hard for her sitting here with me, considering everything that’s going on. I do try and eat something, but I’m struggling. I’m just not that hungry. Sarah also gives me some of the medication that the doctor left.

I have a look at my phone. Loads of messages and calls. It looks like Mum has been calling nonstop since Ethan left. Well, I’m going to let her stew. I’ll call her tomorrow—if I feel up to it. Lots of missed calls from Alex and a voicemail. Should I listen to it?

“What’s wrong, Libby,” Sarah asks, checking her own phone.

“There’s a voicemail from Alex. I’m not sure I can listen to it.”

“As I said, you have a lot to think about, but I’m sure it will all work out just fine in the end. It might just take a bit of time. Right now Alex is in the hotel with your dad. They’re on the way up. Would you like me to stay or go?”

“Please stay…if you don’t mind,” I reply.

“Of course.”

I am nervous now and scared at seeing both of them. But I don’t get a chance to think about it too long before the door opens and Alex is standing there, my dad right behind him. Sarah squeezes my hand and gives me a reassuring smile. That’s all the encouragement I need. I will make it through the conversations with them both. I may not make the right decision tonight, but I think I’ll be okay.

Alex introduces my dad to his mother. She smiles politely. Alex walks towards me and, for the first time in the short time I’ve known him, he looks unsure of how to approach me. But he does, slowly, with a nod of encouragement from his mother.

“Libby, I’ve been worried sick since we got the call last night.” He bends down and gives me a kiss. “How are you now?” I don’t flinch.

“I’m over the fever, and the antibiotics are working on the infection,” I say as he sits down in the chair.

My father walks towards me and says much the same as Alex. I can hear the concern in his voice.

“Dad, whatever you want to say can wait. I’m really not ready to hear from you just yet.”

“Libby, I’m sorry I—”

I cut him off. “I’m sure you are. Just the same as Mum and Ethan. But at the moment, I don’t want to hear the excuses. I love you all—that’s not changed—but you’ve hurt me. You should have kept me in the loop, let me make my own decisions. Now
you’ve seen me, and you know I’m fine. I would much rather you go. Tell Mum I might call her tomorrow.”

I do feel bad for speaking to my dad like that. I’ve never done that before. But then again, he’s never pushed me this far. He gives me a kiss and wraps his arms round me. I fight the urge to respond.

“I am so sorry, Libby. I never meant to hurt you,” he whispers before turning towards the door.

“Phil, wait there. I’ll walk you out,” Sarah says, much to my surprise. I stand up to thank her.

“Libby, it’s been such a pleasure meeting you, and I do hope our paths cross again. Remember everything we’ve talked about.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Yes, sweetie. Our flight back to New York leaves at two in the morning. Take care of yourself. And whatever happens, please stay in touch.” She leans in and gives me a kiss on the cheek before leaving with my dad.

And then there were two.

“Libby.” Alex’s voice is low. He moves from the chair and sits on the couch beside me. He takes my hand.

Such a simple gesture has butterflies in my stomach. I lift my eyes and drink in this man who has turned my life upside down in such a short period of time. He looks as tired as I feel. I want nothing more than to fall asleep in his arms, but I have a feeling that won’t be happening again anytime soon, if ever.
That thought upsets me—maybe a lot more than I’m prepared to let on.

“So the deal is done and dusted. You are now the proud owner of a chain of casinos in the UK,” I say.

“Yes. I thought there would be a longer negotiation process, but everything’s now in the hands of the lawyers. I’ll need to find someone to manage my UK operations.”

“The casinos here…will they become part of your chain, or will you run them separately?” I ask.

“Libby, surely you don’t want to discuss my business transactions. As much as I would love to discuss this with you, I think we have much more pressing matters.”

“Oh, and what would you like to discuss first—the fact that both you and my father lied to me and used me? Or maybe we should discuss your relationship with Katherine Hunter and how I feel that yet again you used me to make her jealous. Tell me. Which one should we start with?”

“I suppose I deserved that, but I have never lied to you,” Alex replies. “Before we discuss that, though, how are you? My mom was really worried about you.”

“I don’t remember much from last night, but your mum was great. I think she stayed with me most of the night.” I smile at the thought.

“She said she took turns with watching over you and Lucy. She fell in love last night; she adores Lucy.”

“I do remember hearing her sing a lullaby last night, but as I say, most of the night is hazy. A lot happened, or so I’ve been told. I still need to get the dressing on my back changed. I will get Karl to do it before he leaves for the night. I think he was here most of the night as well.”

“I can do that for you.” He strokes my hand and holds eye contact with me. “Libby, baby, I
never
lied to you. I think I’ve been honest and up front with you from the start.”