Revelations of the Night Before (12 page)

Her phone buzzed with a text. Occasionally, she got enough of a signal to get a message or two, usually when the sky was clear. Tina reached for her phone, pleased that someone was getting through. There were three bars today, which were a good sign, and a text from Faith.

What’s going on there? Is everything okay?

Tina swallowed a sliver of dread and texted back. Of course. Everything is fine.

A second later, her phone buzzed again. Renzo is worried about you.

I’m fine.

There was something in the paper about you being seen with Niccolo Gavretti in Rome a few days ago.

Tina’s heart sank. She’d been expecting something to happen, knowing the way the tabloids usually covered Nico, but she’d allowed herself to be lulled into a false sense of security when nothing had happened. At least they didn’t have the story of her hasty marriage yet.

Nico and I move in the same circles sometimes. It wouldn’t be unusual to see him at an event. Oh, the irony of lying about seeing Nico while sitting in his bed.

The pause before the next text was long. Finally, her phone buzzed. He’s dangerous, Tina. He wouldn’t think twice about using you in order to get to Renzo. Be careful.

Tina’s heart twisted. She wanted to call Faith up and tell her how wrong she was, but it would do no good. Faith had her information from Renzo, and of course she would take her husband’s side.

Tina sighed. What a mess she’d gotten herself into. She loved the man her brother hated, and she still had no idea what had happened between them. Clearly, her reprieve was nearly up and she had to tell Renzo the truth before the papers said anything more. But she wasn’t going to do it through a text to his wife.

I will.

Faith texted a few more things, a picture of baby Domenico sleeping in his crib, and they said their goodbyes. Tina got up and dressed, and then took the newspapers she’d not read this morning and went out onto the terrace. The afternoon sun was less intense, and the shade of the laurels kept her cool while she flipped through the papers.

They were financial papers, not tabloids, but she still scanned them for any news about Nico that might appear.

When she found it, her chest felt tight.

Gavretti Manufacturing Cash Flow Shortage, Order Cancellations.

She read the article twice to be sure she understood everything the reporter speculated. Then she got up and went to find Nico. They’d been here for days, and he’d said nothing. It bothered her and worried her at the same time.

She found him where she expected, in his home office with its gorgeous paneled walls, floor-to-ceiling bookcases and overstuffed leather furniture. He sat at
the desk and tapped on his computer. Three phones lay on the desk in front of him.

Nico looked up as she walked in, the frown he’d worn easing when their gazes locked.

She ignored the jolt of electricity buzzing through her system and held up the paper. “Is this true?”

The warmth in his eyes faded to something akin to resignation. “Not all of it.”

“Which part is true then?”

She thought he wouldn’t tell her, but he sighed and leaned back in the chair. “My father left me a mess. I’m trying to fix it.”

“By raiding your company?”

“By shifting assets temporarily.”

She came over and sat down in front of his desk. “I want to help.”

He shook his head. “I have it under control. I have advisers and a crack financial team. We’re handling it.”

Worry spiked in her belly. “You’re vulnerable right now.”

His eyes flashed. They both knew what she did not say. “Somewhat, yes. But trying to take me over would strain D’Angeli Motors. It would not be the wisest of courses that Renzo could take.”

“And yet whatever this thing is between you doesn’t seem to care about logic.” Tina shook her head and swore. “So stubborn, the both of you!”

She hadn’t brought up the subject in days, and he’d not, either. Now, he looked irritated.

“It’s complicated, Tina.”

She smacked her hand on the desk, startling him if the way he flinched was any indication. “It’s not complicated at all. You talk, you solve what needs to be solved, and you walk away with a clear conscience.
No one says you have to be best friends again, but for God’s sake, there is a child on the way and he or she will need a whole family, not half of one.”

“The baby will have the two of us,” he grated. “That is enough.”

She shook her head furiously. “There is also an aunt and uncle and cousin, as well as a grandmother, who would all spoil this child rotten if given the chance.”

His jaw flexed stubbornly. “I won’t stop you from seeing them, Tina.”

She could feel angry tears welling behind her eyelids. “No, but you won’t join me, either. You’ll force me to choose between spending time with you and spending time with them, provided Renzo will see me at all after he finds out I’ve married you.” A bubble of hysterical laughter escaped her throat. “My God, it’s like you and my brother got a divorce and I’m being torn between you.”

“Don’t be melodramatic,” he snapped. “You aren’t a child.”

“No, I’m not,” she said fiercely. “But I still lo—care about you both.”

She couldn’t say
love
, though she wanted to. She couldn’t bear for him to look at her with pity when he knew how she felt. By now, she knew enough about him to know that love was not something that would ever come easy for him. He would always be suspicious, always mistrusting. He’d been hurt too badly by the lack of love in his life to believe it could be so freely given or genuine.

Tina leaned forward, palms on the desk, determination vibrating in every bone of her body. “Let me help, Nico. I know what I’m doing, and I can help you get
the company back in the black. Renzo won’t be able to touch it. I’ll make sure of it.”

He looked stunned. And then angry. “By doing what? Begging him not to?”

“I wasn’t going to beg him, no.” Though she had intended to have Faith put pressure on Renzo in the interim, she also intended to inject enough cash into the coffers to make the prospect unappealing to him.

Nico shot to his feet and swore. “Do you honestly believe I’d trust you, Tina? We’ve been married for less than a month. We have a child on the way, and we have great sex—but you’ve been a D’Angeli your entire life. Your loyalty is to your family, not to me.”

She felt as if he’d slapped her. But what had she expected? Of course he was suspicious, and why not? She would be, too, if she were him. She stood and folded her arms beneath her breasts, feeling angry and drained and frustrated all at once.

Her loyalty
was
to her family—but he was her family, too. That was the part he hadn’t managed to get through his thick skull yet. She loved him, and Renzo didn’t
need
Gavretti Manufacturing. Oh, she didn’t doubt he would do everything in his power to obtain it if he could, but the fact was that D’Angeli Motors was thriving and growing, and her brother was in no danger of losing a thing.

Nico, on the other hand, was dancing on the edge of a precipice and too infuriatingly stubborn to see that he needed her.

“I know why you think that, Nico. It hurts to hear you say it, but I understand why you would.” She crumpled the newspaper and tossed it on the desk. “And don’t think I don’t realize, in light of this news, that at
least part of why you married me was to buy leverage against Renzo.”

He didn’t deny it, and though her heart throbbed, she told herself it didn’t matter. She knew enough about him now to understand that he didn’t trust anyone. He might have been from a privileged background, but he’d been so lonely that he’d learned to do whatever it took to protect himself.

“It wasn’t my only reason,” he said stiffly.

She shook her head. “No, I realize that. Now what you need to realize is that I may be what you need to get out of this mess, though not in the way you imagined.” She reached for a pen and wrote some figures down on the notepad sitting beside his computer. “This is what I’ve done with my money. Tell me you could have done better and I won’t say another word.”

“W
HAT’S
your plan?”

Tina looked up to find him standing in the entrance to the pergola, watching her. She’d been reading—or trying to read, since she was in fact fuming and unable to concentrate. She’d fled his office and then fled the house, angry and sad and in need of some distance. Since there wasn’t really anywhere to go, she’d opted for the shaded pergola.

Now, she set the eReader on the table in front of her and searched his eyes. He looked serious, though unhappy. He didn’t want to ask her this, she knew. And yet the numbers on the paper didn’t lie. She
did
have a good head for finance.

“You need cash,” she said, deciding not to dance around the obvious. “
I
have cash. We’ll cover the loan payments to buy time to restructure the debt. And then, if you’ll let me see the complete picture, I’ll have a better idea what else can be done.”

He didn’t even blink when she mentioned loan payments. But she’d done her research and she had a far better idea of what he was trying to do now. The state of his father’s finances at the time of his death was a matter of record. Anyone determined to do so could find out the information.

In trying to save the ancient estate from ruin, Nico was putting his company at risk.

“And what makes you think my financial advisors haven’t already suggested this course of action?”

“Oh, I’m sure they did. But the cash is clearly coming out of Gavretti Manufacturing. You may not be damaging the company, but you’re putting your entire personal stake at risk. Someone could buy your loans and take the company out from under you. You’re right that it wouldn’t be easy just yet—but that day is probably coming, and sooner than you wish.”

He looked at her for a long minute. And then he shook his head. “Your brother is indeed a fool not to use you.”

She shrugged self-consciously. “I’m not a genius. I’m just good with figuring these kinds of things out.”

He pulled the paper she’d written the numbers on from his pocket. “I don’t know. I’d say this is impressive. No wonder you were so insistent about your money in Gibraltar.”

She laced her fingers together in her lap. “It’s what I enjoy doing. I have fun with numbers—and with taking chances on them.”

“You’re good at it, apparently.”

“I think I am,” she said.

He set the paper on the table. “Nevertheless, I don’t need your money, Tina. Your analysis is interesting—and even, I admit, tempting—but I already have a plan.”

Disappointment ate at her. Stubborn man. He didn’t want her money because of who she was. “You still don’t trust me.”

He blew out a breath. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“But it’s what you feel.”

His eyes gleamed hot. “Haven’t you figured it out by now? I don’t trust anyone.”

Her heart hurt for him because she knew there was so much more underlying that statement than he would admit to. He didn’t trust anyone because he’d never been able to depend on anyone. He was used to doing everything alone, to taking care of himself and asking nothing of those from whom he should be able to ask the world.

In that moment, she despised his parents more than she’d ever despised anyone in her life. Her fingers clenched. If she could get her hands around his mother’s neck right now …

Not helpful
.

Tina swallowed, her throat aching with the weight of unshed tears. “You need to learn how, Nico. Not everyone is your enemy.”

He looked remote and cool and untouchable, and it hurt to see him withdraw from her after all they’d shared. “I learned a long time ago that it was easier to live life as if they were. It keeps me from being disappointed.”

“I’m not everyone,” she said. “I care.”

“Yes, but for how long?” He took a step closer, his hands thrust in his pockets, his eyes glittering bright as diamonds. “Everyone has a limit, Tina. Even you. You haven’t asked me in days now what happened between Renzo and me. Why not? Are you afraid the truth might change your mind?”

He watched her struggle and knew he’d said something that pierced to the very heart of her. Yes, she said she cared—but if she knew the truth, what then? Would
she believe him guilty, or would she still try to see the best in him?

He very much feared it would be the first option. And that’s what bothered him—the fact he actually
cared
what she thought. Why?

He’d initially decided to marry her for the child—and for leverage, yes—and to hell with the consequences. He didn’t care what she thought of him, so long as she was a good mother to their baby.

But somewhere along the way, that had changed. He craved her like a drug. He didn’t like it. Or he did like it when he was deep inside her and making her scream his name, but he didn’t like the way it made him feel out of control to want her so much.

It was almost as if he
needed
her somehow. And that was not true, because he didn’t need anyone. He’d made sure of it.

“I’m not afraid,” she said. “I stopped asking because it makes you angry.”

What made her different from other women? She was smart and beautiful, but so what? She challenged him in unexpected ways, which should irritate him and yet somehow managed to thrill him. He didn’t quite know what it was, but it was something.

He’d sat in his office after she’d left and stared at the figures on the paper as though they were written in Sanskrit. And,
Dio
, he’d been tempted. Tempted to accept her money and let her forge this path by his side. It would certainly make what he was trying to do easier.

But then he’d wondered just what in the hell he was thinking. She was still a D’Angeli, regardless of their marriage, and she would inevitably side with her brother against him. It didn’t matter that she craved him in
bed, or that she was pregnant with his child. Blood was thicker than water.

Hell, in his world, even blood wasn’t enough to ensure unwavering loyalty. How could he expect it from her?

No, he wouldn’t take her money, no matter how tempting.

“Are you planning to tell me now,” she asked, one delicate eyebrow arching imperiously. “Or was that simply a cryptic teaser designed to put me off?”

“It’s simple enough,” he said, his heart pounding much more quickly than it should now that he’d determined to tell her everything. Once he told her, she would despise him—and then he could go back to living the way he always did, the way he understood. He would still have her in his bed and in his life, but neither of them would mistake what they had for anything other than sexual chemistry and a shared future for the sake of their child.

“Renzo and I worked on the design for the prototype for months. I promised to get the financial backing for us to make a test version of the motorcycle.”

She nodded. “I remember how excited he was. It was all either of you talked about.”

He remembered those days as if they’d happened only yesterday. The memory of them still had the power to slice into him with pain and regret. He should have been stronger.

“Yes, well, I failed. And not only that, I betrayed him in the process. Gavretti Manufacturing was up and running a full year before D’Angeli Motors.”

She sat there with her jaw slightly open and her eyes wide. So she had not known that fact.

“That’s right,” he said, pressing in for the kill, though
it destroyed him inside to watch the expression on her face. “I stole the prototype. I made the motorcycle without Renzo. That’s why he hates me. And that’s why you shouldn’t want to give me your money.”

“I don’t believe it,” she said after a long minute in which he could hear everything around him as if it were magnified a thousandfold. The chirping of birds, the beat of a butterfly’s wings, the sticky slide of a spider in its web.

He refused to allow that tiny leap of his heart to give him hope. “Why not,
cara
? You already know I don’t trust anyone. Why wouldn’t I take the plans and start my own company?”

Her hands clenched into fists. “You might be bad, Nico—or you’ve made everyone think you’re bad—but that’s not who you are. You wouldn’t steal the prototype when you’d spent months working on it together. When you knew what it meant to Renzo.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because it’s not who you are,” she repeated.

“You don’t know that. It might be exactly who I am.”

She shot to her feet with a growl and glared at him. “It’s
not
, so stop trying to make me think it is.”

Something broke inside him then, something he hadn’t even known was there. The force of it was too much, whipping him in a maelstrom of emotion while he stood there and focused on her beautiful, angry face, unable to say even a word.

How could she look at him like that and believe, to her core, that he had not done what everyone else thought he’d done? No one had ever believed in him that strongly. No one had ever stood toe to toe with him and insisted he wasn’t what he said he was. When
he’d felt petty and mean and unloved, no one had ever told him differently.

When he’d been ruthless and hard and colder than New Year’s Day at the North Pole to survive, no one had ever told him they didn’t believe that’s who he was.

But she was standing here now, this woman he adored, and telling him he was so much better than he thought.

This woman he adored
.

Dio!

Panic followed hard on the heels of that revelation. How could he adore her when she would leave him in the end?

Nico took a step backward. He didn’t adore her. He
wanted
her. He was confusing the two in his head, that’s all.

She looked miserable. A tear spilled free and slid down her cheek and his heart turned inside out. He wanted to gather her to him and hold her tight, tell her everything. But he couldn’t. He couldn’t be that weak ever again.

Nico turned and walked away.

Tina despised crying. But she’d been doing a lot of it over the past few hours. First, she’d watched in stunned silence as Nico had left her in the garden. She’d been torn between chasing after him and making him talk to her, or staying where she was until she got herself under control again. She’d been so angry and so hurt at the same time.

And, yes, even confused. He’d told her that he’d stolen the plans from Renzo—but she didn’t believe him. She simply didn’t, and yet she was furious with him
for not telling her the rest of the story. For turning and walking away like a coward.

As if he
wanted
her to believe the worst.

She didn’t know how much time passed—a half an hour at most maybe—when she’d heard the helicopter coming in for a landing. Fear had slid through her like oil then. She’d shot to her feet and started running toward the castle.

But she was too late. By the time she bounded up the stairs to the helipad, the craft had lifted off and started banking toward the mountains. She knew without being told that Nico was on it. She’d stood there with her hands twisting together in front of her and felt empty inside.

He’d left her. He’d climbed onto that damn helicopter and left her.

She went to her bedroom—their bedroom—and raged for a good hour. Then she’d cried for another. And then she’d picked up her phone and tried to text Lucia. But the signal was intermittent and she couldn’t get it to go.

Giuseppe brought her dinner on a tray. He looked confused, and apologetic. “It was business, madam,” he said, as if that explained everything. “His lordship will return in a day or two. I’m sure it must have been important for him to leave you on your honeymoon.”

“Thank you, Giuseppe,” Tina said numbly. Yes, business. Important business. Perhaps he was even now prowling the nightclubs of Rome and finding a woman to spend the night with.

The thought made her heart hurt so badly she thought she might throw up.
No
, she told herself fiercely.
He would not do that
.

Just as he wouldn’t have stolen the prototype. How
could the man who spent hours on pregnancy websites, who flew dresses in for their wedding, and who sat with his head in his hands and fought the specter of his unfeeling mother
not
have a heart? He’d told her how much he’d loved her family, and knowing what she did about his past, she didn’t believe he’d lied about that.

He
did
have a heart. He was a man who felt things deeply, no matter that he tried to hide that fact from everyone, including himself. He was afraid of feeling. Afraid of loving.

And so was she, apparently. Tina frowned. Why hadn’t she told him that she loved him? That she believed in him because she knew it in her bones that he was worthy of that belief?

Coward
. She was no better than he was. He’d run from her, but she’d been running from the moment he’d walked into her hotel room in Rome. How could they possibly have a future together if they both kept running?

Tina lifted her chin as sudden determination rushed through her. She was finished running. No, from now on she was facing life head-on and demanding only the best it had to give. No more half measures for her. And no more hiding.

Determined, she flipped open her computer and started writing the emails that would change everything.

She gave him three days. When Nico still hadn’t returned after that time, Tina dredged up every shred of haughty at her disposal and told Giuseppe she wanted the helicopter. She’d thought he might argue with her, or that Nico had given him orders to keep her on the
island, but he merely nodded his head vigorously and said, “Yes, madam. Of course, madam.”

She felt bad for being so brusque after that, but she’d been afraid he would refuse her. When she stood inside the glassed-in waiting room and watched for the helicopter on the horizon, she turned to him and smiled.

“I’m sorry if I was rude earlier, Giuseppe.”

He dipped his head. “Not at all, madam. You miss his lordship. It is quite understandable.”

The helicopter soon arrived to whisk Tina back to the airport and then to Rome. She didn’t know for certain that’s where he was, but she suspected it since there was so much going on with Gavretti Manufacturing. Once she landed, she took a car to the apartment. Nico wasn’t there, but the doorman recognized her and let her in when she claimed she’d forgotten her key.