I Want To Be Yours (12 page)

Mari assured him she was fine and appreciated his concern. There was no need to tell him of her personal issues.

“The proposal from the Darian Group is in your Inbox for review. Can you take a look at it before our meeting later this morning?” Harry asked.

“Yes, I can do that. What time is the meeting? I can try and get there. That is, if you can assist me in getting out of London. I’ll send you my analysis en route.” She was determined to restore some normalcy to her life. No way would she allow Nico to destroy the career she’d built.

After obtaining the promise that air transportation would be there within the hour, Mari next called Richard on his mobile.

This would not be an easy call, as Richard had no previous knowledge of her intimate relationship with Nico. In fact, Richard had never seen Alex until the day before. He had known of her pregnancy: when she’d left the Group, she’d given her reason as wanting a less stressful job. He’d offered his assistance if ever she needed it. Mari had been careful that no one who knew Nico, and her past association with him, ever met her daughter. The resemblance to her father was too obvious, especially as the girl got older.

“How are you, kiddo?” Richard asked.

Mari almost started crying right then. The gentleness in his voice made her want to beg for his support but she was determined not to involve him in her fight. Nico would definitely destroy him, as he’d promised.

“I’m fine. I just wanted to let you know that I crashed at your flat last night, but Nico was not happy finding us there. I suggest you tread carefully around him today.”

Richard whistled with his usual, carefree humor. “Do I even want to know what’s going on?”

“No, it’s best you know as little as possible. Things will probably get a lot worse before they get better. He is being his usual ruthless, stubborn self and I don’t see an intervention by you or anyone else soothing his ruffled feathers. He’s just being obstinate and unreasonable right now.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

Mari was surprised by his brave offer. He had to know Nico could demolish him without breaking stride. “Hell no! You know who we’re dealing with. Nico would flatten anyone who got in the way of him and Alex. Please stay out of this.”

“You have done a fantastic job here, by the way. The folks here at Brennan certainly think the world of you. They also need you here badly to ensure their best interests are being considered. We are being as equitable as we can, but it is almost like taking candy from a baby,” Richard finished dryly.

“I don’t believe that for a second. Harry can certainly hold his own in a pinch.” Mari laughed, as Richard had intended her to. “However, I will be there shortly and we’ll see how easy it is. I give you fair warning that I will drive a hard bargain. I know how valuable a diamond like Brennan Mutual would be in fitting into the corporate structure of the Darian Group.”

She quickly showered and armored herself in a maroon Valentino dress.

Mari made it up to the executive offices with fifteen minutes to spare before the meeting was to begin. This gave her time to assemble her notes and have a brief meeting with the other executives of Brennan Mutual before the Darian Group team arrived. Everyone was still very positive about the deal, but it was clear that they were curious about mysterious relationship between her and Nico. No one voiced their concerns, but it was evident, by their fishing queries, they’d hoped she would shed some light about it.

They were doomed to wait a long time for that. She never discussed her personal life with anyone.

Richard, Brad, and Jarrod entered the boardroom together and an amicable negotiation ensued. One hour into the meeting, the door was suddenly thrust open and Nico entered. His imposing presence intimated dark emotions. His face was hard as granite, and his steely gaze was reserved exclusively for Mari. He closed the door firmly as he advanced into the room and walked purposefully toward Mari’s side of the table.

She quickly rose and stood immobile next to her chair, having already anticipated a confrontation with Nico. She was just not expecting it here, and definitely not so soon. She’d had every intention of being back at his penthouse before noon.

“Be reasonable, Nico. We are in the middle of an important negotiation that will impact hundreds of Brennan Mutual employees,” Mari murmured with cool composure. Where that calm voice had come from, she had no idea. She was a quivering mess inside. The other executives in the room were speechless. Mari noted the awed expression on Brad’s face at her bold attack. She fought to keep the apprehension from her eyes.

Nico would never admit to anyone how inappropriately aroused he got at that moment. Her unflinching defiance excited him. He fought hard to keep the grin of approval and pride from his face. Even so, he had no intention of leaving there without her.

“I agree and this can easily be dealt with,” he drawled. He looked over Mari’s head at Harry and asked with chilling confidence, “How much?”

She is so much mine! Within a day or two, my stamp of ownership will be all over her ass.

“What?” Harry was flabbergasted.

“How much to have you sign on the dotted line?” Nico asked while maintaining a predatory gaze on Mari.

Harry, being nobody’s fool, named an outrageous price, more than twice what he had just negotiated.

“Done!” Nico stated with brutal clarity.

“Satisfied?” he asked the angry woman in front of him.

“Hardly. Nothing short of your blood on the floor will do, but it’s still early,” Mari said with a sardonic twist of her lips.

Nico leaned close to her and whispered, with deadly promise for her ears only, “Love the dress, as you anticipated I would. I’m going to fuck you so good, you’ll scream my name for all of England to hear.”

He stepped back, ignoring her glare of outrage, but instead focused on her puckered nipples as they responded to his wicked promise.

“Richard, get this wrapped up,” Nico ordered without taking his eyes from Mari’s face. “I have to remind someone of who I am.” He then seized her hand in a tight grip and quickly escorted her from the room.

She barely had time to grab her handbag as she inelegantly stumbled to keep up with Nico’s aggressive strides. She only vaguely noted the astounded expressions on the faces of the executives sitting around the boardroom table. This embarrassment would haunt her for life.

As they entered the elevator, Mari tried to pull away from the firm hold Nico had on her arm.

“Bloody arrogant bastard! That was not necessary!”

Nico simply gave her a cold, angry glare and held her in an even more forceful hold. He had to mentally restrain himself, to make sure he didn’t bruise her. Before the elevator doors closed, Gio and another bodyguard joined them, creating an impenetrable wall in front of them.

Back at the penthouse, Mari exchanged her suit for fitted jeans and a top, and ran downstairs to find Alex. She had no idea where Nico had gone after he’d ceremonially deposited her back at the flat. With a warning to stay put, he went out again.

The toddler was happily playing with the remainder of the food on her plate, the majority of which had made into in her hair and all over her face. Mari busied herself by cleaning her daughter up and spent an enjoyable afternoon with the energetic toddler in the indoor, heated pool.

As she and Alex played noisily, Martha and Gio came out numerous times to ensure they were okay and didn’t need anything. The first time she saw Gio, she’d thought Nico was back, but was soon disabused of that notion as Gio told her that he’d been assigned as Alex’s personal bodyguard. Nico was taking no chance that Mari might again disappear with his daughter. Guards were posted at every point of access throughout the entire building.

Never mind that she was a grown-ass woman, and could have called the authorities at any time she wanted. Needless to say she just hadn’t wanted to leave Nico. Not yet. She was almost afraid her desire to give Nico space in their life was more from her unrelenting love for him than any real effort at compromise for Alex’s benefit.

Hissing through her teeth in disgust, Mari vowed to give Nico piece of her mind as soon as he returned. He was the cause of her ridiculous, stupid behavior. Her life had gone so far out of her control. It was made more difficult by the unwanted desire she felt for her tormentor. Her immediate, eager response to him was embarrassing. It inhibited her ability to think clearly, to separate what was best for her and Alex. This was exactly the scenario she’d hoped to avoid.

She ate a solitary evening meal after putting Alex to bed. Martha and Gio ate in the kitchen, while she dined at the enormous rectangular table capable of seating twenty people at a time. She didn’t feel comfortable sitting with the two older people, as they were in essence her jailors. Even though she knew them both, from the team’s numerous visits to the penthouse, she didn’t want to hear their further endorsement of Nico. Their loyalty to Nico was evident, and their displeasure at Alex’s absence from Nico’s life was palpable. Conveniently forgetting that they’d been instrumental in keeping her away from Nico during her pregnancy, they now felt no qualms on keeping her prisoner for him.

Their numerous attempts to soften her attitude toward Nico would almost have been laughable, if the situation wasn’t so serious. During the day, they’d made various comments about the little princess being such a blessing, how devastated Master Nico would be to not be able to share in her life… what a wonderful father Master Nico would be, and other unsolicited observations. She felt like shouting,
what about me
? What about her needs? What about what she wanted? What about her future, her life? Nico didn’t give her any hope that she would be able to resume her career. She loved working for Brennan, and loved what she had been trained to do. Why should she sacrifice her life to give Nico what he wanted? But even on the heels of that thought, the voice in her head was unrelenting.
Alex needs her father, too
! Although she wanted to ignore them, their remarks did force her to reevaluate her misgivings about allowing Nico back in her life.

Mari went up to your room shortly thereafter. She was more exhausted than she’d initially anticipated. Her thoughts were so chaotic, so confusing. After taking a shower and cleaning her teeth, she fell asleep almost immediately upon getting into bed. She had no idea what Nico was planning, but knew that whatever it was, she’d better be prepared to fight.

A few hours later, Nico crept up the stairs and couldn’t resist taking a look in at his baby daughter. As he stepped into the room, he was humbled by the sight of the two most important people in his life, his woman and his daughter, curled up on the bed in peaceful slumber. They slept blissfully, unaware that their world would soon change dramatically. He’d called his parents and siblings, who were ecstatic for him, and ready to assist and support whatever action he deemed appropriate.

He silently went on to his room. Tomorrow was going to be another hectic day.

***

Mari woke to sunlight streaming through the windows. She reclined on the bed for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts. As she realized Alex was again not in her cot, she suddenly jack-knifed into a sitting position on the bed. But unlike the day before, there was no comforting note to explain her whereabouts. She sprang from the bed and raced to the bathroom, quickly using the loo and cleaning her teeth.

Her thoughts were scattered, unsettled. She didn’t know why, exactly, except that she was extremely uneasy. She fought to remain calm. Alex was safe. Nico would never let any harm come to her.

In her haste, she decided not to change out of the oversized sleep T-shirt, figuring that it hit mid-thigh and covered her up enough. “Alex! Alex!” Mari was alarmed at the stillness of the flat. She went into the kitchen and found it empty and quiet, no trace of coffee, or for that matter, breakfast being made. Martha had obviously not been in there that morning. That terrified her as nothing else would have. Her baby was not in the flat. She sensed it, and was becoming more frantic by the minute.

She entered Nico’s study next, ready to kill him with her bare hands. Somehow, she knew
he
was there.

Nico waited patiently, silently, as Mari advanced farther into the room. The murderous expression on her face temporarily gave him pause. He reminded himself of how important it was he showed her no mercy, and gave her no escape route. He hardened his heart against the anxiety he noted in her face. Despite her current fragile state, he knew she had the power to lacerate his well-laid plans.

He glanced briefly at the closed folder on his desk. He had received the report just that morning, a report generated by his security team after he had initiated an investigation of Mari’s life since she’d disappeared from his life. The report gave a detailed account of her activities for the past four years.

It noted damningly that upon each of her visits to London, six in the past four months, she had stayed at Richard’s flat. He remembered their enthusiastic initial meeting in a new light, and fought to quell his rising anger. His daughter wouldn’t grow up with any other father but him. The thought of Mari in Richard’s arms was so disturbing, Nico ruthlessly clamped down his thoughts on that, not wanting to go there. Mari always had the ability to evoke this strong, volatile response from him. He refused to analyze his feelings further. All that was important was that Alex was his daughter and Mari was his woman. The sooner she realized this and accepted it, the sooner everything else would fall into place.

“Alex has been sent to the estate in Kent with my parents. We will join her shortly, after we are married,” Nico stated calmly, masking the tumultuous emotions simmering in every pore of his body.

Mari stood silently at the entrance to his study. She was like an avenging, dark angel, glaring at him menacingly through the fringes of her hair. Her breathing was audibly fractured and getting louder, her fury like a living being, her eyes dark with the promise of violent retribution.