Beautiful Disaster (The Bet) (39 page)

Where Ellie's Nicky had failed, this bastardized version of him would succeed. His enemies would become his best friends and his loved ones would be wisely pushed away. He was going to wage war, the casualties would be devastating.

"I will testify against my father."

Both Sonya and Terran had identical expression of shock painted across their faces. "Oh God, Nicholas please tell me he didn’t…"

"Yes." It was a simple answer that did not bear contemplation.

Terran vacated the chair he had been seated on and immediately stood before his nephew. He reached out and grabbed Nicholas's arm, the hold bruising. "Why?" Terran shook him, his face remained stoic but the desperation in his voice was evident. "Why didn't you tell me?"

This Nicholas had enough testicular fortitude to look his uncle dead in the eye and tell cold hard truth without feeling an ounce of remorse.

War was never bias.

"It isn't something you tell." A noise escaped his mother's lips that sounded suspiciously like a whimper, but Nicholas ignored her. She was of no consequence at the moment.

Dawning crossed Terran's face instantly as he read the hidden agenda behind Nicholas gaze, behind those cold grey eyes. As if burned, Terran released Nicholas's arm and took a step back. This man standing before him was Charles's progeny in every way that counted.

"Nicholas…"

Nicholas held up his hand. "You have my respect and thanks for all that you have done for me. But now I will ask that you stand aside and not get in my way."

Terran frowned. "This isn't a necessary."

"Of course it is. My father's reign is at an end and mine will begin after my time at Eton." He hadn't meant to allow that little information to slip until after the trial, but what the hell? Might as well let them know now.

"Eton?" Sonya softly questioned, eyes rimmed red.

"Yes, a higher education is necessary if I am to take over Charles's company."

"You don't have to do this, Nicholas. Don't you understand?" Sonya stood and came to stand near Terran. "You can finally be free. You can live your life as you want. I know how much you love that girl…"

"Ellie was an indulgence I allowed myself and now that she has served her purpose she is no longer necessary." That took far too much of an effort to say.

Nicholas brought a hand to his naked chest and rubbed, and it hurt more than it should have, which meant that Ellie's Nicky was still alive and kicking, but not for long.

"This isn't a matter up for discussion. I've already made up my mind in this, support me or not that is your choice. I know that I will be attending Eton in the fall."

"Nicholas!" Terran stopped Nicholas halfway up the cedar stairway. His back to his uncle, fist tightly clenched at his sides, Nicholas waited for Terran to speak. "Turn and face me when I speak to you."

The old man was trying his patience, Nicholas silently thought as he spun around.

"You do not want to walk your father's path. Do not think yourself so embittered that you will not regret your actions. You are allowing your grief and anger to blind you. Grieve and wallow in sadness if you must and then move on."

"Do not, uncle, stand there and lecture me on grief and anger. You do not know of my grief!"

"Selfish imbecile! I do not know grief? Did I not lose a wife? Is your grief all-consuming that you do not allow others to feel remorse as well Nicholas!"

Nicholas's fists clenched further, his fingernails digging half-moons in his palms. "As I said before, Terran, you have my appreciation for all that you have done for me and my mother, but I sincerely suggest you stay the hell out of my way from this day onward. Interfere in my plans and I will not be held accountable for my actions." He spun around and took the stairs two at a time, disappearing into the master bedroom, leaving the very first of his casualties.

Terran had to wonder exactly when this drastic transformation had taken place? Had the effects slowly taken place during the untimely death of Nicholas's child? Was that the straw that had finally broken the camel's back?

The differences in behavior from the Nicholas of months ago, to the callous fiend who'd stood in front of him moments ago was drastic. Terran was still reeling from the differences. This Nicholas had the potential of being very dangerous.

Time wasn't wasted and in a matter of only a few days, Nicholas had given his own version of his father's depravity, adding as much detail as possible some lies, some not. Anything to see that Charles never saw the light of day. An unspoken truce was forged between mother, son and uncle as they worked around the same story. Telling the attorneys Terran had hired everything they needed to know.

A few days after his daughter's death, Nicholas's ancestral home was raided on a rapidly attained warrant and his father was apprehended and detained. He exited the police headquarters with a malignant smile on his lips, hands insouciantly shoved in the pockets of his slacks. He entered the stretch limo that awaited him. Ready and armed to bring about the end of yet another casualty. This was the biggest battle he would ever fight. Ellie was a weakness he needed to rid himself of and quickly.

Chapter
Sixteen

"My father is no longer a concern." Nicholas said quietly.

They’d gathered in kitchen after Ronnie had failed in keeping Gabe distracted long enough to give Ellie and Nicholas some privacy. Gabe had barged in Ellie's room minutes after Ronnie left, gun cocked and threatening to once again shoot off Nicholas's dick if he didn't immediately unhand his goddaughter. Nicholas had done as bidden, but only at a smooth languid pace that had managed to further piss Gabe off.

Ellie had awoken, with cheeks stained pink as she realized her entire family was in her bedroom, starring at parts of her that should have never been out in the first place. Apologizing profusely to an un-amused Gabe, Ellie had promised Nicholas would never come to her room again. Gabe hadn't bought the lie for one second, however he'd been placated enough to leave when Ronnie had asked him to, but not without a clothed Nicholas walking in front him.

It was one thing to know that your kid messed around and another thing completely to see evidence of it. Gabe was still coming down from his shock. He was still trying to get the image out of his mind even as he'd listened to Nicholas them of his whereabouts these last few days.

Once or twice he'd aimed his gun in Nicholas direction more than happy to shoot him for his stupidity, but Ronnie's hand on his arm stopped him each time. He chanced a look at Ellie and frowned in concern. She hadn't said a word since Nicholas begun to speak, her facial features remaining placid, while Sophie fussed. Making every attempt to go to a reserved Nicholas.

"So is Gabe's restaurant safe now? Will the bank…"

"No. my uncle has seen to everything. Rest assured that Splendor is safe. Like I said, my father was only using it as a way to get me to heel."

Ronnie nodded and the silence from earlier returned and with it the tension that permeated off both Nicholas and Ellie.

"Nicky!" Sophie clawed at the bands of Ellie's arms wrapped around her abdomen, desperate to get away. "I go Nicky! Uhh...Mama!" She screeched, arms floundering in her attempt to reach the man who could do no wrong in her eyes. "Nicky!" her arms stretched and her eyes watered.

"I go Nicky! Now! Now!" Despite everything Nicholas kept his distance, not once meeting Sophie's eyes.

"Sophie enough!" Ellie's scream caused an instant hush to fall over the room.

Sophie stared with wide eyes at her mother, bottom lip trembling. Mother and daughter looked at each other; Ellie hooked a finger beneath Sophie's chin before she spoke. "You know better than to act like a brat, Sophie. You're a big girl right?" At Sophie hesitant nod Ellie continued. "Big girls don't act like little brats. Now you're going to stop crying and go with Gabe so that he can clean you up and then we can go for ice cream. Okay?"

The promise of a treat could erase the fact that she'd yelled from Sophie's mind, but Gabe knew that Ellie would not soon forget it. She'd never raised her voice in anger at Sophie, to do so now was a testament to how the situation and Nicholas's tale was affecting her. Gabe itched for his gun.

He scooped Sophie up instead. "Come on squirt; let's get you ready for some ice cream." He hoisted her on his shoulders as they quickly walked out of the room, Ronnie not far behind them. She closed the living room doors, allowing Ellie and Nicholas some privacy.

"Just tell me one thing." At Nicholas's imperceptible nod Ellie went on. "Did everything we share mean anything to you?"

Nicholas shrugged, figuring he would need an Oscar after this performance. "I don't think there’s great meaning in sex." Yup, a fucking Oscar to spit shine and put on a fucking pedestal.

“I’m not stupid, Nicky. I know what you’re doing and I’m not falling for it.” She reached for him. “Breaking up with me probably makes sense in that warped mind of yours, but I’m telling you that you’re wrong. You aren’t protecting me. If anything, you’re hurting us both.” Her hands cupping his face Ellie unflinchingly met his diamond hard stare. “Let me in, Nicky. I know you’re hurting. Please let me in.” for an ephemeral moment she caught a glimpse of his love for her and as he lowered his head Ellie gently smiled, thinking everything would be alright.

He kissed her, slow, sweet and achingly sensual and Ellie thought she would combust from the fire he so effortlessly lit at her core. At the mercy of his tongue, she readily gave of herself, pouring every ounce of love she had for him in the kiss. And just when she believed she would melt at his feet, he released her and drew back.

"It’s over." He spoke the words so gently that it took her a moment to realize what he’d just said.

“What?

“It’s over, Ellie. We’re done.”

"Nicky…please…"

"Oh Ellie, don't beg. Don't get me wrong, it was fun while it lasted. But honestly babe, this thing between you and me has become a little boring." Nicholas forced himself to chuckle.

“Nicholas…don’t.” she ached, her heart lurching painfully in her chest. “Don’t do this.” She looked at him, hoping, praying she could get through the wall he’d already erected. But he’d closed himself off, his grey eyes no longer held the glimmer of love and adoration she’d once seen there.

“Thanks for last night." He raised a finger to Ellie's cheek with a leer. "Speaks wonders for my ego that I was able to make you faint like that. And what made it sweeter was how you naively believed every fucking word I said. Very gullible of you, Elle."

He reached for her and she smacked his hand away. "Don’t..."

"I'd really like it if we could still be friends." He mocked.

"Fuck you." She said quietly stepping away from him.

Nicholas laughed the sound chilling. "Been there, done that."

"Get Out!" she was trembling, her emotions coalescing to form a quake that rattled her very bones.

Born to undoubtedly be a sadist, Nicholas couldn't help the parting shot. "Take consolation in the fact that you were the best of them, Ellie."

"GET OUT!" Her open hand slap nearly broke Nicholas’s jaw and he applauded her. He would've done far worse had he been in her place. "GET THE HELL OUT!"

Ellie's Nicky cried along with his sobbing lover as he stepped out of the house that he’d come to consider a home for what was the last time. The door slammed behind him with finality.

The Grayson heir rejoiced.

Ellie's Nicky continued to weep.

Ellie didn't attempt to run to the bathroom as she fell to her knees and retched. Tears streaming down her fevered cheeks, she held her stomach and hacked what little food she'd eaten earlier that morning. This was how Gabe and Ronnie found her when they reentered the living room.

Gabe was immediately at her side, heedless of the mess on the carpet, he cradled her close.

"It’s Ok, Ellie. It's going to be ok."

"He's gone." She said brokenly, voice muffled in Gabe's shirt. "It's over, Gabe. He's gone…"Gabe looked helplessly at Ronnie when Ellie slackened in her arms.

Ronnie immediately jumped into action. "Bring her over to the couch Gabe and just stay with her. I'll be right back." While Gabe did as instructed, carrying Ellie to couch, Ronnie returned seconds later with a wet towel in one hand and a glass of water in the other. She set the glass on the coffee table and knelt by the couch, folding the towel lengthwise, Ronnie draped it across Ellie's forehead.

"She'll be ok, Gabe." Ronnie said into the ensuing silence attempting to alley Gabe's fears as well as her own. "She's just a little overheated." Although she appeared calm, concern knotted tight in Ronnie's stomach.

She bit her lip to keep her suspicions at bay. Gabe's sudden string of curses had Ronnie's immediate attention and warily she watched as he paced the length of the living room. When he stopped abruptly and headed out the living room Ronnie frowned and asked. "Where are you going?"

Murder shown on his rugged face. "I'm going to hunt that son-of-bitch down and string him up by the foreskin."

Crass as it may have been Ronnie felt it appropriate for how they were both feeling at the moment. But going after the little weasel wasn't going to benefit anyone and one of them had to be the voice of reason. Ronnie resigned herself to the role.