The Billionaire's Forbidden Desire (33 page)

“He doesn’t know, but you don’t have to worry. The last time we spoke was about a week ago. He called to let me know that he wasn’t going to sue anybody. He said it was your idea.
Not
suing, that is.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” She’d been worried, but it’d been impossible to bring the matter up again with Dane being so stubborn. He probably hadn’t fired the driver either. “I’m glad. But it wasn’t me. He wouldn’t have done anything to hurt you.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“It’s obvious he cares deeply about you. Everyone criticizes the way he speaks, but nobody has pointed out what he’d done to help his family. He adored his grandmother, and he’s the one who brought his youngest brother home.”

Vanessa winced. “Shane’s situation was different.”

“That’s not what I heard. Shane would still be in Thailand if Dane hadn’t sent Ginger to bring him home.” Sophia shifted in her seat. “I’m surprised you never noticed his kindness.”

Vanessa blinked a few times, then shook her head. “You’re entirely too optimistic when it comes to Dane. Anyway, I’m not here to talk about him. I’m here to say that I’m sorry about what happened last time. I just really wanted to know what kind of person you were, and…you were nothing like I expected. Then when Dane stormed into my place…” She laughed shakily. “It’s just…not something I ever thought I would see. He generally doesn’t care much about women he’s with. Ice water in his veins and all that.”

Jeez
. Did everyone in the family believe that?

Vanessa continued. “It’s not easy for me to be rational when it comes to my family. We’ve all had a difficult time growing up”—she flashed a sheepish smile—“which sounds ridiculous when we’ve had every material advantage. Our parents have always been rich, and we never lacked for anything…except affection and love. But I think Dane had it the hardest. He experienced what it could’ve been like. Our parents weren’t always so stilted and awkward around each other. They were actually in love at one point. So he saw the kind of ideal family life we could’ve had, only to have it yanked away from him. The rest of us didn’t have it quite that bad.”

It finally clicked for Sophia—the source for Dane’s anxiety. He thought what they had together would disappear, just like the lovely period from his childhood. She reached over and briefly laid her hand on the other woman’s. “Vanessa, thank you for telling me this. Really.” She smiled. “So does this mean you don’t think I’m a gold-digger?”

Vanessa shifted. “Believe me, one thing I’m
not
worried about is some woman taking financial advantage of Dane.” She shifted again, her eyebrows dipping into a V. Sweat beaded along her hairline.

Sophia peered at her. “Are you all right?”

“No. Or maybe yes. I don’t know.”

Vanessa was visibly panting now. Sophia put a hand on her shoulder, and Vanessa took it. “I think it’s the baby.”

“The…baby…?”

Vanessa nodded. “Yes. I think he’s about to come. I’ve been…having contractions since late morning, but…didn’t think…” She took several huffing breaths, then seemed to relax a bit. “I’ve had false alarms before. But I guess it’s real this time. I think my water just broke.”

Sophia’s mouth dried. She had no idea what was involved in child labor except what she’d seen on TV. “Tell me what to do. Who do I need to call?”

“Justin. But can you help me up first? I want to get to my car.”

Sophia put her arms around Vanessa and pulled her up. Her skin was flushed and clammy with sweat, and she was panting again. Sophia squeezed Vanessa’s hand and led her to the lobby.

“Where did you park?” Sophia asked.

“In the front. The concierge service downstairs has my keys.”

Right on cue, the concierge rep appeared like an apparition. He took one look at Vanessa then turned to Sophia. “Miss Reed?”

“She’s going into labor,” Sophia said. “Can you help me?”

He jumped into action, carrying Vanessa to the car and depositing her on the passenger seat. “Anything else?”

Sophia glanced at Vanessa, who shook her head. “No, thank you.” Sophia climbed behind the wheel.

“Call my husband. Please.”

“What’s the number?”

Vanessa groped blindly and pulled her phone from her purse. “Press one.”

A couple of dial tones and a warm male voice said, “Hello, sweetheart. How are you feeling?”

“This is Sophia. Vanessa’s going into labor
right now
. What hospital should I take her to?”

“
I’m not having my baby at the hospital!
” Vanessa bellowed, making Sophia jump.

“Ignore her,” Justin’s voice said in her ear. “I don’t care that it’s only two weeks early. I’m not taking any chances.” He gave her the name and address of a private hospital. “You know where it is?”

Amazingly enough, she did. “Yes.”

“Take her there. They’ll have everything ready. I’m leaving right now. Sorry to impose on you, Sophia. I should’ve insisted on a chauffeur.”

“I’m happy to help. Can you call the family and—?”

“I’ll take care of everything else. Just get Vanessa to the hospital.”

Thankfully the traffic wasn’t too bad. Once they reached the hospital, everyone sprang into action, taking her and Vanessa to the private wing.

Even though Vanessa had complained about wanting to have the baby at home, she didn’t put up a fight when the nurses wheeled her away. Justin arrived five minutes later and ran right past Sophia to reach his wife.

Sophia didn’t blame the man. His hair stuck up like he’d run his hands through it during the drive to the hospital. Lines bracketed his mouth; he’d lost the tie he normally wore and undone the top two buttons on his shirt.

None of the rest of the family had arrived yet, so Sophia pulled out her phone and called Dane.

“Hello, Sophia. Is everything okay?”

“Of course. Why?”

“It’s not like you to call during the day.”

“Oh.” She frowned. Maybe he was busy. “Am I interrupting anything?”

“Not at all. Always happy to hear your voice.”

She flushed, warm pleasure unfurling inside her chest. Now that she thought about it, she
was
intruding on his day. His schedule was always packed.

“I have a surprise for you, so I’ll be home a bit early today,” Dane said.

“If it’s something expensive, you should return it.”

He laughed. “It’s priceless, but you won’t want me to return it.”

She rolled her eyes, even though she couldn’t stop smiling. “By the way, did you get a message from Justin?”

“No idea. I’ve been in meetings all morning. Why?”

“Vanessa’s having her baby. Like,
now
. We’re at the hospital.” She told him the location.

“Isn’t it early?”

“About two weeks, but I’m sure she and the baby will be fine.”

“Okay. I’ll be there soon.” He hung up.

Sophia bought a bottle of water and waited. It didn’t take long before Ceinlys arrived, her stilettos clicking on the hard hospital floor. Dressed in an elegant cream-colored one-piece, she looked like she was about to have lunch with the queen of England. Her perfectly coiffed hair didn’t show the slightest hint of gray. A slim leather belt cinched around her waist accentuated her trim figure.

Feeling like a grubby urchin compared to the impeccably groomed woman, Sophia braced herself. Technically, she hadn’t done anything while she’d been staying with Salazar. But appearances mattered, especially to families like the Pryces. Although Ceinlys had been courteous and gracious at the wedding, there was no social reason for her to restrain herself now.

“Sophia.”

She swallowed. “Hi, Ceinlys.”

“Thank you for taking care of Vanessa.”

Oh
. “It was nothing.”

“Not nothing.” Ceinlys shook her head. “No telling what would’ve happened if she’d been alone or, god forbid, driving. Justin should’ve gotten her a chauffeur weeks ago.” Her mouth thinned.

“I don’t think Vanessa wanted one. But her doctor’s here now. I’m sure she and her baby will be fine.”

“Vanessa has always been headstrong. But you’re very kind.” Ceinlys sat next to Sophia. “This may take a while. The first baby is always the most difficult. If you want to go home, I’ll arrange for a car.”

“It’s all right. Dane’s going to be here soon.”

Ceinlys stared at her freshly manicured nails for a few moments, then uncrossed and recrossed her legs. “How are things with the two of you?”

“Wonderful. He’s very sweet.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Ceinlys smiled, but her eyes were still guarded. “Not many people think that about him.”

“They don’t understand that he says exactly what he means.” Sophia turned slightly toward her. “It’s nice to be with someone whose intentions I don’t have to second-guess.”

“I suppose that’s true.” Ceinlys smiled again, this time with more warmth.

“And part of that is that he’s very honest in his affection.”

“Perhaps it’s you who’s showed him it’s acceptable to express affection. Although he’s still closed off and cold with other people.”

Sophia laughed, and after a moment Ceinlys joined in. “Yeah,” Sophia said. “I’ve noticed a bit of that here and there.”

“Haven’t we all.” The older woman sighed. “None of my other children are that way. I don’t know what happened with Dane.”

“Is it because…” Sophia debated, but she had to know. It had been churning in her mind for a while now. She lowered her voice. “Is it because you and Salazar blamed him for being born and ruining your married life?”

Ceinlys drew back slightly. “What on earth are you talking about?”

“I thought…I mean, don’t you feel the same way about it?” Sophia bit her lower lip, wondering if she’d misjudged the situation.

“About
what
, precisely?”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said any—“

“You will tell me
exactly
what you’re talking about, and you will tell me
now
.”

Now I’ve done it
. “I heard Dane and Salazar arguing, and your husband said that Dane ruined everything the moment he was conceived.”

Ceinlys’s mouth parted, the blood draining from her face. Not even the perfectly applied layers of makeup could hide the sudden pallor. “I…I had no idea. I thought it was some exaggerated anger on Dane’s part.” Ceinlys clutched her purse, her knuckles white. “I don’t know why Salazar would think that or even say that to Dane. We’d been having issues even before I became pregnant for the first time. It had nothing to do with him. Nothing! I—”

Just then, Salazar arrived. He was dapper in his crisp button down shirt and dark slacks. His steps were light and springy as though he was dancing to a tune only he could hear.

Ceinlys rose to her feet. “Excuse me. I need to speak to my husband.”

“I’m sorry I said anything. I shouldn’t have,” Sophia said.

“It’s something I needed to know. I wish I’d known earlier.” She gave Sophia a strained smile. “Thank you.”

Her back stiff, she walked toward her husband.

* * *

Ceinlys was shaking inside. She’d had no idea Salazar had treated Dane with such cruelty. If she’d known… If she’d known, would it have made any difference?

Even with all the history between them, she couldn’t deny Salazar could still make her heart flutter. Maybe it was because he could be dashing and romantic when he made the effort. Except those occasions had become increasingly rare as the years went by.

When he’d taken Sophia in, Ceinlys had assumed that he was having an affair with the girl. But it was apparent now that that wasn’t the case. He genuinely wanted to help her, and that reminded Ceinlys of the man she’d fallen in love with. Still, what Sophia had revealed wasn’t something Ceinlys could ignore. He had no right to blame Dane for their failures.

“Salazar. I doubted you’d come.”

“Well, her real father’s gone, and”—he shrugged and glanced away—“I’m the closest thing she has.”

A knot in her heart tightened. Here was the good and kind Salazar again. “Can we talk for a moment?” A couple of nurses hurried by. “In private?”

“Yes. I was hoping to talk to you… Well, to you through your lawyer.” His voice was as light as his step, but his eyes betrayed nothing. “But we can talk without the overpriced middlemen if you want.”

She nodded and led the way.

The wing for Vanessa was private, with no other patients on the floor. The kind of comfort and luxury only people like the Sterlings could buy. When Ceinlys had had her children she’d had a private wing to herself, not because Salazar had cared, but because that was what Shirley had decided her grandchildren deserved.

At the end of the hall was an empty room, with a neatly made bed and some plastic flowers. Ceinlys walked inside, Salazar following closely.

She spun around to face him. “Is it true that you blamed Dane for our failing marriage?”

He tilted his head. “Who told you that?

“I have my sources.”

He shrugged. “I never blamed Dane for the fact that our marriage failed. I blamed him for being born, and preventing me from leaving.”

Semantics. “Why didn’t you leave?

“I was planning to. But then you got pregnant. I couldn’t leave the woman who just announced she was carrying my first child. So I stayed. I told my lawyers that it wouldn’t be necessary to file for divorce.”

Ceinlys pressed her shaking lips together. But the tremors didn’t ease. They spread through her body until her knees were almost knocking against each other. She clasped her hands tightly. “You should’ve left me back then. We could have saved ourselves decades of pain.”

“I agree. I should’ve known better, which is why I said I wanted to talk to you.”

“So you’re agreeing to the terms?”

Salazar shoved his hands into his pockets. “No. Your terms are unacceptable.” He raised a hand, stopping her from speaking. “You’re demanding fifty million. You can do better than that. You’ve given me four children, and I’ve given them each fifty million dollars. Surely you’re worth more than that.” He caressed her cheek, the touch feather soft. “The settlement is two hundred million dollars. Fifty per child.”