No Regrets: Jani Kay (Firebird Trilogy Book 2) (18 page)

My loss was his gain, and I was certain he wasn’t going to let me walk out of here carrying her in my arms like he did when I fetched Rebecca from his hotel room in Paris. There would be a war before he’d let her go this time, but I was ready for the battle, because I'd only realized how precious the prize was once I'd lost it.

We waited at the gate for ten minutes. The security guards refused us entry, blaming a technical problem. I didn’t mind. It gave me time to think, to formulate a strategy since I hadn’t expected to find Rebecca so soon.

The gods had been smiling on me, allowing the serendipitous meeting with the lovely Chloe to bring me straight to Rebecca. Stunned by how easy it had been, I couldn’t help the surge of renewed energy that flowed through me.

Chloe. She knocked the breath out of me. Outwardly she appeared to be a replica of Rebecca, yet I sensed an untamed spirit, an inner rebellion about her that was nothing like the cautious and reserved traits I’d noticed in her older sister. I had a feeling if Chloe went for something, she was all in, holding nothing back.

The gates opened, allowing the SUV to drive through. Before we could follow, the security guy stepped forward and asked the driver to pop the trunk so he could scan the contents. Satisfied that my hand luggage contained little more than the essentials, he asked us to step out of the car for a body search. I rolled my eyes, heat flooding my body as I complied.

I'm here to talk to a woman, not hold anyone hostage.

With a stern expression, he scanned my body with an instrument similar to the ones used at airports. Grant wasn’t taking chances. I had to give him credit for the way he was protecting the women.

The guard nodded. “You’re free to enter, sir.”

“Thank you.” I climbed back into the car and let the driver take me to the front door. Chloe had already emerged from the SUV and stood with her back turned to me, gesturing to the luggage as she spoke to the man beside her.

I turned the tinted window down and took a moment to appreciate the spectacular view of her derrière in the tight skirt. She laughed as she shook her head. Her long hair caught the sunlight in its movement, making it come to life.

She turned to me and smiled, her generous mouth wide and alluring.
She looks like an angel
. Dazzled by her beauty and grace, I sucked in a breath and grinned at her. She had the ability to make me feel good without even saying a word.

There was something about her that was refreshing. She had the aura of a free spirit—not that I was an expert or could even explain it. It was intangible, something you either had or didn’t have. It couldn’t be bought or faked. It simply flowed from her and attracted me like a bee to a honey-pot.

“Well? Are you coming in or not?” Her perfectly sculpted eyebrow lifted and she tapped her fingers on her purse. I instructed my driver to wait and got out of the vehicle. She hooked her arm into mine with casual ease as we climbed the stairs to the imposing entrance. “It's been a long flight and I haven’t had a decent meal in a while. I’m starving,” she said, making me laugh.

“I remember it being a long flight from Melbourne,” I agreed, visions of Rebecca on my lap and our mile-high encounter flashing through my mind.

As we approached the heavy wooden doors, they opened. Another tough guy with a solemn face greeted us, his tone formal and professional. Grant was running a fucking fortress.

“Follow me.” His thick German accent echoed through the entrance hall as we made our way up yet another flight of stairs.

“Who needs a gym when you have these many stairs?” Chloe was still hooked into my arm. On the landing, she stopped for a minute and rested her forehead against my shoulder. She was so at ease with me it felt like we had known one another for a long time.

“No doubt this place has a fully equipped gym with a cross-trainer, if that’s what you want?”
I’d love to watch her ass while she’s working out
.

“I'm sure you’re right. I've never seen a place like this except in movies,” she said, her eyes darting around to drink in the grandeur surrounding us.

“If you’re into historical places, I'd love to show you my chateau someday.” It was only after the words slipped out that it struck me I may never see the chateau again. Not if the man I’d believed to be my father all my life had anything to do with it. I cursed softly under my breath. I had no place inviting Rebecca’s sister to the chateau.

“We’ll see,” she said, playing along, thankfully not committing me to a promise.

The guy stood aside and indicated for us to go ahead into a formal reception area. Standing by the window, Grant turned to face us, smiling warmly at Chloe and ignoring me completely.

“Chloe, so nice to meet you,” he said, his eyes widening a fraction as he gaped at Chloe. “Hope you had a good flight?” Yeah, he was definitely having the same reaction I had to how similar the sisters were.

“Hello, Maxwell, I'm happy to be here after so many hours on the aeroplane. Thank you for upgrading me to business class. That’s very generous of you.”

“My pleasure. It's the least I could do.”

“Where is Rebecca? Is she here?”

He nodded. “Um, she’ll be down in a minute. She just had to go freshen up.”

He turned his attention to me. “Alain. What brings you to Munich?” His sarcastic tone sliced the air.

“I came to talk to Rebecca. We need to talk things through.”
No point in beating around the bush.

He narrowed his eyes and stared me down, his expression grim. I'd forgotten how big the fucker was. “Rebecca is with
me
now. Just so we are perfectly clear.”

I raised an eyebrow, forcing myself to stay calm. “Is that right? I’ll believe it when she tells me straight from her own mouth.”

Grant puffed his chest up, staking his claim. “You better believe it, lover boy. The only reason I allowed you to follow the SUV was so you can say your final goodbye to Rebecca—and so I can tell you man to man to stay away from
my
woman.”

“Gosh, my sister is a lucky woman. Two handsome men fighting over her—” Chloe placed her hand over her mouth to hide her giggle.

The Yank’s gaze swept to the entrance behind me. I watched a smile slowly take over his face and his eyes soften just as I heard Rebecca’s voice behind me.

“Hello, Chloe. Alain. What a surprise to see you arrive together.” She seemed anxious and her skin was flushed a deep pink. Chloe went to hug Rebecca, and I stood back and watched as the two sisters embraced, noticing they were similar in height too. They could easily be mistaken for one another, especially from a distance or in poor lighting.

“How is Lily? Have you had any news about the attacker?” Chloe bombarded Rebecca with questions, understandably anxious to learn more. Rebecca shook her head and updated Chloe. I listened to their conversation, marveling how alike they were and wondering what Lily looked like. Apparently not much had changed and she was still in a coma. They spoke about the German doctor and the police watch at her door.

Finally, Rebecca turned her attention back to me. “How did you find me so easily, Alain?”

I stepped forward. “Actually, I had no clue where to even start looking. It was my lucky day bumping into your gorgeous sister at the airport, thinking it was you.” Taking both her hands in mine, I kissed the back of one, then the other. I'd done it a hundred times when we were together, yet today, it felt oddly formal, a little awkward with two other pairs of eyes watching closely.

A low growl emitted from Grant and he stepped forward, too, placing his arm around Rebecca’s shoulder, pulling her close into his side.
Fuck. Possessive bastard.

Chloe tucked her arm through mine and smiled up at me. “I’m the lucky one. If Becca and Max have a thing going on, and you are free, that means I get to spend more time with you then, doesn’t it?”

Rebecca cut in. “Alain isn’t free, Chloe. He’s engaged to French royalty. He ended our relationship because he chose to marry the countess in order to inherit the family title. So don’t get any ideas, Sis, because as soon as we’ve had our chat, Alain will be leaving.” She quirked an eyebrow, waiting for me to agree with her.

No way in hell was I giving up that easily. “I came to talk to you, Rebecca.
Alone
. If we could be excused to talk in private?”

“Well, if you wouldn’t mind showing me where I’ll be staying so that I can freshen up?” Chloe said to Grant.

“Sure, I’ll call one of the staff to show you to your room. Your luggage should be there already,” he said. He walked to the wall and pressed the buzzer.

“Thank you.” She sucked in a breath. “Alain?” She turned to me and laid a hand on my arm. “Promise me you won’t leave before saying goodbye to me? I won’t be long, just a quick shower and then I’ll be back here.”

I smiled at her.

The maid arrived to show Chloe to her room. She leaned forward and planted a light kiss on my cheek. “See you soon.”

Pleased by her spontaneity, I was going to enjoy getting to know Chloe a whole lot better. She didn’t have inhibitions or act awkwardly. There was nothing sexier than a woman who knew what she liked and wanted, and I was flattered she showed interest in knowing me better. But I had other things on my mind. “Rebecca? Can we go somewhere private?”

Her gaze shifted to the American, then back to me. She nodded. “Sure. Let's go to the balcony.”

She led the way through large sliding doors to a balcony that overlooked the gardens. Although Grant wouldn’t be able to hear our conversation, he’d still be able to watch. I followed her out and closed the doors behind me.

“You look good, Rebecca. I've missed you so much.” I took a step toward her, wanting so badly to pull her into my arms, but it was too soon. She needed to hear my story first and hopefully then she’d understand. I was praying for forgiveness, hoping she would fathom the depth of my regret and take me back. Maxwell Grant was a temporary fling. I wasn’t worried about him.

“I've missed you too, Alain,” she whispered, her gaze trained on me. “It's so unexpected to see you again. What are the chances you’d bump into Chloe?”

I laughed, telling her how I'd mistaken Chloe for her. She laughed with me, lightening the mood somewhat.

I went on to explain what had happened—about the duke, Valerie’s pregnancy and their betrayal. I told her everything, except about his fall down the stairs. She didn’t need to know that part—all I needed was for her to understand that the duke wasn’t my father and I’d gone there to tell Valerie it was over even before I knew about their affair.

Rebecca listened, her eyes wide, her gaze not once deviating from my face. Every emotion ran through her eyes as she absorbed my words.

I moved closer, taking her hand in mine. “Can you forgive me? I’m a fool for thinking I could live without you. It's not possible. I want you back in my life. Can you find it in your heart to give me another chance?”

“Alain, I can't even begin to imagine what it must feel like to find out that the duke isn’t your father. I appreciate more than I can say that you’ve come to tell me. Thank you.”

“Does that mean you’ll forgive me?” Hope was all I had left. I squeezed her hand softly.

“Yes. Of course I’ll forgive you. I would probably have done the same for my family. But you’ve hurt me, Alain. You broke my heart.”

“Cherie. What I wouldn’t give to change all of that—”

“I can't go back to you, Alain. It's too late for us. It can never be the same between us again.”

A dull ache sat in my chest. I turned to the balcony railing and stared out over the garden, gripping the iron bar so my knuckles turned white. My mind raced; her words were not the ones I expected. Turning back to her, I narrowed my eyes. “It's Grant isn’t it? You’re in love with him?”

She bit into her lip and lowered her gaze. “Yes,” she said on a shaky breath.

I cocked my head to the side. “Were you ever in love with me, Rebecca, or has it always been
him
?”

“No, Alain. When we were together, I truly believed I loved you. But this, it's different.” Her voice was strong. Certain. “This man, he’s the one for me.”

“How can you be so sure without giving us another chance?” A few deep breaths helped me stay in control. I didn’t want to lose it now, not with Grant in the next room.

“I'm sorry, Alain. It would be a lie if I went back to you. I'm sure you will find happiness—just not with me.”

Damage control
. I needed to do or say something that would convince her to give me another chance. Only I was out of ways to win her over.
Fuck.
I'd just lost Rebecca to Maxwell fucking Grant. And it was all my own doing.

A
dmitting how I felt about Maxwell to another person—none other than the man I'd thought I was in love with a few weeks ago—was as if the weight of the world had dropped off my shoulders. Ironically, Alain found out before Maxwell did, but until the fiasco with Natasha was sorted out, it was better he didn’t know.

Glancing through the glass doors, my gaze fell on Maxwell where he was sitting on the sofa with his phone to his ear and his hand brushing through his hair. He caught my eye and smiled.

The lopsided anxious smile of the man—allowing his vulnerability to be exposed—tugged at my heartstrings. Gone was the cocky arrogance of the alpha male Mr. Grant that I'd known over the months. I wanted to rush inside and placate him, assuring him he was the man I chose to be with and not Alain.

Alain stepped into my space and pulled me into his arms. My heart raced and I sucked in a breath as his mouth crashed down on mine. Oh, God,
Maxwell is watching.

I pushed against his chest. “Alain, please stop. Accept that it's over between us.” I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand as his arms fell away.

“How is it possible for you to fall out of love with me so quickly?” Arctic blue eyes penetrated mine, searching for answers.

“I...I don’t know, Alain. Maybe I was more in lust with you than in love? Infatuated? Flattered that you wanted me?”