Merediths Awakening (21 page)

* * * *

Wednesday morning started a cautious truce between them. Tony had agreed Meredith might need time to get to know him, to trust his intentions, and he set about proving himself with a vengeance. He showed up at her condo with bagels and a photo album, and over breakfast he gave her a visual tour of his childhood. Before they left for work, she knew all his sisters, his parents, and his childhood dog, a mutt named Bubba.

He spent the morning at the construction site, but managed to call, “just checking in,” several times, prompting Trey to wander past her office singing “Mr. Rennatto and Ms. Worthington, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” Meredith was not amused.

At six-thirty Tony staged an abduction, whisking her out of the office before she knew what hit her. He announced that he was going to introduce her to a cultural icon, and took her through the McDonald’s drive-through window. Over greasy hamburgers, and crisp, salty French fries, they watched one of Tony’s nieces play soccer.

Surrounded by various and sundry Rennattos, Meredith gained still more insight into her mischievous lover. He treated his family with easy affection, and was quick to delve into any problems they might mention, stepping in to fix what he could, and offering support when there was nothing concrete he could do.

It was becoming clear to Meredith Tony was a caretaker. She felt stupid for taking so long to realize it, but she’d never experienced that sort of generosity of spirit before. It was equally clear Tony was determined to take care of those he loved whether they wanted him to or not, as evidenced by a younger cousin who finally ended a discussion with Tony by throwing up his hands and saying, “Dude, can’t you just let me deal with it?”

Thursday began much the same, the one difference being it bothered Meredith when she woke alone. Tony hadn’t pressed to spend the night, nor had he initiated any Domination/submission games since Tuesday night’s blow out. Only thirty-six hours, and Meredith missed both, desperately.

They started the day with muffins and gourmet coffee, and Tony spent the breakfast hour showing her his high-school yearbooks. He’d even brought over his letter-jacket, which he draped around her shoulders when she stepped out into the cool summer morning. She smiled a little bit. She’d never worn a boy’s letter jacket before. She was still smiling when she snuck past Trey on the way to her office.

When seven o’clock came, so did Tony, bearing pizza and a selection of DVDs varied enough to make a video store proud. He used pepperoni to lure her into Marcus’

office, where he served her pizza and wine while they snuggled on the couch and watched the beginning of a comedy on Marcus’ plasma screen TV. Somewhere between her second slice of pizza and her third glass of wine, Meredith discovered Marcus’ office did, indeed, possess some sort of magic. It was the only room in the building where all three Worthington siblings had had sex.

The only fly in the ointment was his absolute refusal to discuss any irregularities at the construction site. He had numerous, private meetings with Dorian Jones. Meetings he wouldn’t allow her to sit in on, even though they ostensibly involved the timetable for finishing the interiors of the building. He was more than willing to discuss budget, construction matters, even his crew, but the minute she mentioned locked doors or hinky feelings, he suddenly had an urgent appointment, or an irresistible need to kiss her senseless.

She wanted, desperately, to trust him. But she needed him to trust her, too. For too many years Worthington was all she’d had to cling to. Now, knowing it faced some threat, but not knowing what the threat was, caused her to doubt everything. And knowing Tony was somehow involved caused her to doubt him. She couldn’t, wouldn’t fall in love with a man who kept secrets from her.

* * * *

Friday afternoon found Meredith sitting at her desk, head in hands, with a mind full of confusion. Marcus was home, and he’d brought Carrie with him. As his fiancée.

Meredith knew she should be thrilled. She
was
thrilled. But at the same time, she felt more isolated than ever. Once again her brother seemed to have fallen into the pot of gold, while Meredith struggled just to keep her head above water.

So she was almost relieved when Trey buzzed her. Anything to get her out of her own head.

“Yes, Trey?” God, even she could tell she sounded tired.

“I didn’t want to interrupt, Ms. W., but there’s a call for Mr. Renatto.” From the sound of his voice, Trey was more than happy to interrupt. But Meredith was confused.

“And you’re telling me this why?”

“Well, I thought it might be important, so I wanted to let him know.” The only way Trey would think buzzing Meredith would get a message through to Tony was if…

“Trey, when did you see Mr. Renatto come in?” The tiredness in her voice was gone, replaced with a level tone anyone in the office would readily recognize. Trey might be silly, but he wasn’t stupid.

“Um, not long. Maybe ten or fifteen minutes.” She could practically hear the young man scrambling for an explanation that would placate her. “I told him Mr. Worthington was back. He, uh, must have stopped in to say hi before coming to see you.” Meredith tried not to be infuriated, or embarrassed because Trey felt the need to reassure her about Tony’s behavior. She tried even harder not to be infuriated, or hurt, because she needed the reassurance.

“I’m sure that’s it,” she said, forcing her voice to thaw a few degrees.

“I’ll buzz him in Mr. W’s office,” Trey hastily offered, but Meredith had had enough of evasions.

“Oh, no, Trey. I’ll just wander down there and give him the message myself.” She stood, then added, “You might want to get the contact info on Mr. Renatto’s caller. It might be a minute before he’s available for the phone.” She was deceptively gentle when she hung up.

*

Tony did the best he could to ignore the churning in his stomach as he sat in front of Marcus Worthington’s massive desk. Dorian Jenner, aka Dorian Jones, sat next to him holding his little notebook. He’d just finished detailing his findings at the construction site, and the news was grim. Worthington himself had stood halfway through Jenner’s recitation, and now stared out at the Detroit River. None of the men noticed when the office door slid silently open.

“What does Meredith have to say about the situation?” Worthington’s voice was soft and, Tony thought, deadly.

Jones threw him a speaking glance, and answered, “We haven’t informed her of the situation yet.”

Worthington turned around and raked each man with a look that seemed to weigh and measure them in seconds. “But she knows something is going on.” His gaze lit on Jones. “My sister is many things, but stupid isn’t one of them. So how have you been fielding her questions?”

“Mr. Renatto has been the one to deal directly with Ms. Worthington.” Tony thought he heard relief in Jenner’s comment, and tried not to feel like a Christian thrown to the lions as the full force of Worthington’s silver gaze locked on him.

“She knows something is going on,” he confirmed. “And I’ve avoided her questions.”

“Why would you do that? Clearly one of the family, one of the owners of the company, should have been notified the minute you had a suspicion of illegal activities on our project.” The other man looked pissed, and Tony knew he had to tread carefully.

“Mr. Worthington,” he spoke slowly, gathering his thoughts. He didn’t like to do it, didn’t want to announce his relationship with Meredith under these circumstances, but he had to believe his woman’s brother would want her protected.

“I opted not to tell Meredith,” the other man’s eyes flashed at his easy use of her first name, but Tony ignored it and soldiered on, “because it promised to be an ugly situation.

Things get dangerous when drugs are involved, and I knew there’d been someone at the site. Meredith would have jumped right into the thick of things, and I won’t see her hurt.” Worthington’s brows lifted consideringly. “You’re a contractor.
Ms.
Worthington
,” Tony didn’t miss the emphasis on her name, “owns one third of the company. It’s not your place to decide what she can or can’t handle. And I promise you,” now Tony couldn’t miss the grim knowledge in the other man’s voice, “Meredith has handled her share of ugly situations.”

Tony found the other man’s refusal to protect his sister unacceptable. “All the more reason to spare her this one.
Meredith,
” it was his turn to emphasize her name, “has had to handle her share and more of ugly situations.” Worthington’s eyes flared with memory, and maybe guilt. “I would think all of the men in her life would want to protect her from a situation that promised to be, not only ugly, but dangerous as well.” Worthington’s silver eyes, so like Meredith’s, went icy. He strode to his desk and hit the intercom button. “Ms. Warren,” he addressed the temp who sat at Carrie’s desk,

“please ask my sister to come down here.”

Before Ms. Warren could answer, Meredith stepped fully into the room.

“I’m here,” her voice was utterly emotionless, but her eyes were tormented. Meeting them, Tony felt the churning in his stomach twist into a greasy knot.

*

Meredith had stood in the doorway listening with growing horror as Dorian Jones, or Jenner, or whatever his name was, described the quantity and type of drugs being housed on the construction site,
her
construction site. The fact Tony had known all of this and had kept it from her was like a kick to the chest. Her heart literally, physically hurt from the knowledge.

It was odd to hear Marcus discuss her. She thought she was touched at his faith in her abilities. She certainly appreciated it when he stated categorically that she wasn’t stupid. But the fact he had to make that sort of statement to Tony, to the man who claimed to respect her so, was like salt in an open wound.

Dragging her composure around her like armor, she stepped into the room when Marcus sent for her. Tony’s eyes flew to hers, and the combination of dominance and apprehension there only helped to solidify her withdrawal. He’d known what he was doing was wrong. He’d done it anyway.

“How much did you hear?” Marcus stepped around his desk and approached her, guiding her into the room.

“Enough.” Her eyes cut to the two men in front of Marcus’ desk. They’d both come to their feet when she’d entered the room. “You had no right to keep this from me,” her eyes raked them both. “Worthington is my company. You had a legal obligation to inform me of any illegal activities in my company.” Jones, no she reminded herself, Jenner, took point. “Ms. Worthington, Mr. Renatto called in the police the minute he had suspicions. We only began investigating early this week. We needed to verify there was, in fact, something to report before we brought it to you.”

“Yes. I heard. And as you know, Mr. Renatto had a legal obligation to inform myself, or one of my brothers the minute he had suspicions. He should have met with me even before he called in the police.” She didn’t let her eyes meet Tony’s. She’d never be able to keep her composure. She wasn’t sure what would be worse, the threatening tears, or the primal scream of rage clawing for escape. She only knew she couldn’t afford either of them.

“Meredith,” his voice, Tony’s beautiful voice, was low and urgent. “Princess, I didn’t want this to touch you.” She flinched at the use of his pet name for her, then flinched again at Marcus’ speculative look.

“You had no right to decide for me.” It hurt, God it hurt, but she was rebuilding the wall of ice bit by bit.

“I have every right!” Her retreat was infuriating him. If she’d stopped to think about it, she’d have realized he wouldn’t allow her to shut him out quietly. Maybe in some buried corner of her heart she’d even wanted him to fight for her.

“You belong to me,” he continued heatedly. “Mine to pleasure,” he was right in front of her now, eyes burning into hers. “Mine to protect.” He wrapped his hand around her nape, a familiar, painfully intimate gesture that almost cracked her resolve. “Just plain mine.”

*

Tony felt sick at the look in his Princess’ silver eyes as she stepped into the room.

They reflected anger, but what ripped at him was the betrayal there. He had to make her understand but, in the face of her hurt, he didn’t know how he’d do it.

It didn’t help that, on some level, she was right. Legally he should have informed the owner immediately when he suspected illegal activities. And if Marcus had been there, or if this had been any other company, he would have done so. But this wasn’t any other company, and Meredith wasn’t any other business executive.

“You belong to me.” God, she had to know it. She’d submitted to him utterly, given herself completely. “Mine to pleasure. Mine to protect.” And for him that said it all. She was his woman, and his claim trumped any legal or ethical obligations.

He knew she could see it in his eyes when she stepped deliberately back. Her shields were all in place. She was every bit the ice princess she’d been at their first meeting.

More, even, because now she wasn’t flustered. Now she was enraged, an icy rage, sealing her off from him more fully than ever before.

“I don’t belong to anyone, Anthony.” Her chin was up, and she didn’t meet anyone’s eyes. “And the days when I needed protection are long past.” She took another step back, and directed her gaze in her brother’s general direction. “Can I count on you to brief me on the situation after your meeting?”

“Meredith,” Worthington’s voice was firm, but gentle. “I think you should stay.

You’re an integral part of the leadership structure here. This concerns you every bit as much as it concerns me.”

“You’re right. It does.” She’d stepped further away, and Tony fought a panicky urge to grab her, to drag her away and remind her that, despite her words to the contrary, she did belong to him. Body and soul.

“However,” she continued, “I don’t think now is the best time for me to be updated on the situation.” She was at the door now, hand grasping the knob. “Finish your meeting. You can brief Matthew and me later.” And she was gone, slipping through the door like a ghost.

He didn’t hesitate. He followed her, ignoring Worthington’s barked “Renatto,” and Jenner’s muffled curse. She was moving fast, was nearly to her office before he caught her, shackling her wrist with his hand and pulling her to a stop.

“We’re going to talk about this,” he heard the command in his voice, deliberately let his words crack like a whip. Her eyes widened.

“Too little, too late, Renatto. I’ve wanted to talk about this all week, and you shut me out. The time for talk is long past.” She wouldn’t meet his eyes. “It was last Tuesday night.”

“I’m not referring to the drugs,” he muttered harshly. “We’re going to talk about us.” Noting Trey’s avid stare, and knowing how Meredith loathed being the object of gossip, he tugged her into her office.

*

“You need to take your hands off of me.” Meredith heard the ice coating her words with grim satisfaction.

“Not until you hear me.” Tony grasped both of her arms, holding her pinned in front of him. “I am not your father,” he gave her a little shake, “not your brother. I’m the man who loves you beyond all reason, and I’m sick of being punished for their sins. I’m the man who would do anything, including keeping you out of the loop, to keep you safe. I’m sorry you’re hurt, but I’m not sorry I protected you.” She refused to meet his eyes, and he gave her another little shake. “And I would do it again to keep you safe, to spare you pain.”

“You think you’ve spared me pain? Tony, at every turn you’ve demanded my trust, my unconditional surrender. And at every turn I’ve felt you deceiving me.” Now she did meet his eyes. He would, by God, understand her. “What you’ve done is worse than anything my father or Marcus could ever have dreamed of doing.” He moved to protest, but she cut him off.

“My father never respected me, but then he never pretended to. I knew what to expect from him. I knew where I stood with him. And Marcus, well, he fell in line with the Old Man.” She shook her head, remembering. “He let me into the company, he trusted my judgment as a professional, but he never pretended to respect me as a person.

As a woman. But you, you came to me with your pretty stories about making yourself worthy, about working to be with me, and your promises, and your family. You claimed to care about me, to respect me,”

He cut her off. “I do respect you.”

“Don’t lie to me,” she hissed, “not anymore. You pretended to respect me, but all the while you were lying to me, working behind my back, hiding problems in my company from me.” There were no tears in her eyes, not any longer. They’d frozen right along with her heart. “You, more than anyone, know what this company means to me, and yet you kept me ignorant when it was jeopardized. You betrayed me. You don’t love me, Tony.

Love doesn’t betray.”

*

Her words were like a dagger, cutting out his heart. Her eyes, those beautiful silver eyes, were empty and frozen and looking into them he could see every bit of the betrayal she believed he’d done.