The Billionaire's Family Secret (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove Book 15)

by Danni Lee Nicholls

  Leah stared at Allison in confused shock, her heart slamming against her ribs. Bringing her family into this conversation was an unexpected blow. The headache mushroomed along with alarm. She needed to think quickly. “You must think there’s a possibility of that happening, or you wouldn’t have bothered to call me in here.”

  Allison gave a wisp of a laugh. “I have to admit, it surprised me to see the two of you together. Trev’s always preferred girls with a bit more … flair. He must be on the rebound. But trust me when I tell you that when he marries, it’ll be to someone who is his equal in every way, and that isn’t you.” Allison unfolded her legs and dangled them over the side of the bed as she leaned forward. “I checked you out on the internet. Your family hovers below the poverty line. Isn’t that right? You’ve even needed public assistance a time or two.” She smirked. “I bet you haven’t said a word about any of this to my brother.”

  Leah withered inside, her words deserting her. There was no possible defense for her family’s poverty. It just existed. Dread rode on the emergence of a new thought. In many ways, she’d done the same thing Justin had done to her, but for very different reasons. She’d kept pieces of her life a secret from Trev, just as Justin had kept his life secret. The color drained from Leah’s face as the realization rooted itself with deepening shame. Her hands turned clammy and the headache roared back to life.

  “I didn’t think so.” Allison answered her own question as she gave Leah a look of languid indifference. She brushed her hand in the air. “You can go.”

  Leah stood, her head drumming as she began making her way to the door on shaky legs. She turned to face Allison. “I’m going to be a doctor someday.” She infused as much authority as she could muster, but the words still came out timid and weak.

  Allison cocked an eyebrow in her direction. “Yeah. So I’ve heard. We visit doctors, or they visit us,” she said. “Either way, we don’t marry them.”

  Leah’s argument dissipated in the air between her and Allison, leaving her desolate. The very thing that made her sure of her equality with others was now brushed aside like a common service for the wealthy.

  She kept her gaze on Allison, who rose from her bed and walked into her huge closet without another glance. Quietly, Leah slipped out of Allison’s room and plastered herself to the wall, her breath coming in rapid puffs. Urgency mixed with jittery fear and the hammering pain in her head. She needed to get out of this hallway, in case Allison stepped through her door.

  Hurrying down the hall, she made her way to the guest bedroom. She heard Paul snoring as she passed his and Rebecca’s room before slipping into her own. Quietly, she closed the door and locked it before sliding down to the floor. The plush carpet accepted her as she silently sat with her back against the wall. Wiping her eyes, she placed her hand on her heart and willed it to slow. The headache retreated to a dull knot in the back of her head giving her the opportunity to consider her options. They narrowed down to the one she feared the most. She needed to tell Trev about her family.

  Chapter 16

  Sitting on the balcony of the guest bedroom, Leah took in the warm, flickering glow of the single candle that danced with the night breeze. She loved its promising glow, but the soft light didn’t help the distress that tightened in her chest. With growing anxiety, Leah glanced at her phone for the sixth time in the last three minutes. A quarter past ten. She stood, hoping to pace off some of the angst rising from her stomach. But with every breath, her dread flourished.

  Standing at the railing, she felt the shift in energy that came with Trev’s presence. He was home. In spite of the mounting tension, she still keyed into the animated difference when Trev was near. Her heart pulsed differently when he was close. How she could tell her heart that it could no longer beat for Trev?

  Letting out a long sigh, Leah blew out the candle and hurried down the stairs, noticing that from under Allison’s door, the room was dark. That helped. Hopefully, she didn’t have to worry about Trev’s sister spying on her and Trev during this difficult conversation.

  Leah reached the bottom of the stairs as Trev came through the front door. Eagerly, she went to him as he dropped his travel bags and reached for her. She leaned into his solid strength, placing her head against his chest, breathing in the scent of travel and masculine sandalwood. His heart throbbed steady and strong, matching her own. If this was going to be the last time she and Trev connected, she wanted to be able to recall every breath and every beat of their last few minutes together.

  “I’m glad to be home,” Trev whispered in her ear before pulling away. He grabbed her hand, his urgency running through Leah’s veins, as they made their way to the back deck. “I just want to be alone with you,” he whispered as they opened the French doors and stepped into the night. Several candles flickered on the outdoor table, giving off a soft, inviting light. Two sparkling waters with a fresh slice of orange and ice stood on the table in frosty glasses. Trev’s voice was low with a hint of weariness. “I told Sanders to light a couple of candles so we could enjoy some time on the deck. It’ll help me unwind. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No. Not at all. I’m glad for it.” Leah tried to ignore the discord that came with Trev’s presence. She longed to memorize everything about him—his touch, his sweet tea taste, and the smell of sandalwood--in order to be able to recall their love after she told him about her family. But she also desperately wished to pull emotionally away from him. If she began putting distance between them now, when he backed out of their relationship after this evening, maybe it wouldn’t hurt so much. But it was no use. The desire for his company overrode every other judgment. She craved his presence tonight and wished for it every night ever after.

  Trev pulled out a chair for Leah, who sat down. He moved a chair next to hers, and picked up his glass, taking a long drink. Leah sipped at hers, and the crisp, effervescent water cleared her throat as if preparing her for the confession.

  Leah studied Trev. Even in the soft light of the candles, his face was worn from the long day. His dark brown hair fell in disarray over his forehead, and his blue eyes were tired. He’d never looked more attractive to Leah.

  “How did it go?” Leah asked.

  Trev fell against the back of his chair, letting out a long sigh. “Not as well as I’d hoped.” Trev gave her the details of his Colorado trip. “But knowing I was coming home to you helped me get through the day. I’m glad you’re here.”

  Leah squeezed Trev’s hand, but her heart dipped in doubt. Maybe it’d be better if she waited until the morning to tell him about her family and the conversation with Allison. No. As much as she wanted that delay and to hang on to their relationship for one more night, it wouldn’t do. Morning always brought its own set of troubles, and the longer she waited, the harder the telling would become.

  Withdrawing her hand, Leah stood and moved to the railing. The lake lay before her in deep inky blackness, and the darkness stilled, as if all of nature held its breath in wait for her disclosure.

  Trev came to stand beside her, and Leah breathed in the warm smell of him. The telling had to be now, or she’d lose her nerve. “Trev, there’s something I need to say.”

  Trev turned toward her, his eyes reflecting curiosity in the warm candlelight. “What is it?”

  Leah forged on, in spite of her dry mouth. “You remember when I told you about Justin and how his folks treated me?”

  “Of course.”

  A weight pressed down on Leah’s chest, making it hard to breathe or speak. “Well, there’s more to the story, and after talking with Allison, I feel the need to make sure you understand some things.”

  “Allison? What’s Allison got to do with anything?”

  The back of Leah’s throat ached with the crowd of words she wished she could keep to herself. “Your sister caught me in the hallway this afternoon. Apparently, she’s looked up my family online.”

  Trev’s curious look turned wary, but he said nothing.

 
; Leah swallowed, but the admission was stubborn in its need to be told. “Anyway, she learned that we struggle financially.” She held her breath.

  Trev waved his hand in the air. “Don’t listen to Allison. Most families have financial struggles. Just because her family doesn’t have that particular thorn isn’t a reason to dismiss the rest of the world, although she tries.”

  Her dread deepened. “It’s more than that. We’ve needed public assistance at times. My family is on Medicaid, and we’ve needed food stamps in the past.” Hot shame burned in Leah as her memory hopscotched to the afternoon in the grocery store with her mother, and Brittany’s witness to the embarrassment that came with not being able to afford food. She still pictured Brittany’s unabashed and staring disbelief and the sneer on the lips of her friend’s mother. It matched the look Justin’s mother had given her.

  Leah stepped into the darkest corner of the balcony. She didn’t want Trev to see the burning humiliation rising up her neck and into her face. It overcame her, pulling her into a deep black abyss, making it hard to breathe. Earlier, she’d wanted nothing more than to be by Trev’s side. Now, she wished to slink away and run as far as possible from him and her own ugly truth.

  Allison’s words haunted her. “Trust me when I tell you that when he marries, it’ll be to someone who is his equal in every way, and that isn’t you.” Inwardly, Leah cringed. Allison was right. She’d been stupid to think someone like Trev would ever see her as anything more than a rebound romance or a caregiver to his parents. “I’ll bring the ring back tomorrow.” Her voice was raspy with anguish as she covered her face with her hands.

  Awash in this sea of degradation, Leah scarcely believed Trev’s kind touch. His palms gentle on her shoulders. “Leah.”

  His voice sounded distant. It pulled at her from the black pool from which she was drowning.

  A gentle tug brough her closer and turned her toward him. “Leah.” He took her hands in his and brought them down from her face. “Look at me.”

  Leah shook her head. She couldn’t raise her eyes to meet his.

  He smoothed her hair back from her face, and the warmth of his palm against her cheek brought breath into her lungs. “Leah.” His voice dropped a notch, into a place where a shared intimacy became possible.

  She let out a ragged exhalation as despair dissipated from the black waters of her dishonor, giving her a glimmer of light in the distance. Her secret was no longer held alone. Whatever Trev thought of her, he at least knew the whole truth, and there was power in the telling.

  She lifted her gaze to his; the fear of denunciation lurking just under the surface of her confession. What would she see in his eyes? Would he condemn her like his sister had? She searched his face.

  His lake-blue eyes shimmered in the candlelight, filled with loving tenderness. “I’m glad you told me about your family. When we talked about Justin, I gathered as much, but I want you to understand I don’t care about any of that.” He paused. “And I don’t want the ring back, either. It’s yours.” He tugged at her gently. “Come here.” His voice was husky with emotion as he pulled her close and surrounded her in a gentle embrace. “We all have our secrets,” he murmured.

  Leah melted into the warmth of his chest, her body weak with relief and gratitude as his heart played its steady beat in her ears. The earlier self-reproach retreated, giving Leah room to breathe. She placed her arms around Trev’s waist, cradling him close. Fresh tears of peaceful joy blurred her vision.

  “I don’t want you to ever worry about this again.”

  Leah nodded against his shirt.

  “Promise me?” Trev pressed.

  “Yes, I promise,” Leah whispered. The touch of his warm soft shirt against her cheek filled her with blissful wonderment. Fifteen minutes ago, she had convinced herself of the end of her and Trev’s love. But instead of pushing her away, he brought her close, sheltering her from her abased degradation with a growing devotion. There weren’t any more secrets between the two of them, and now they were free to fully explore each other and their love.

  Chapter 17

  Trev watched Leah from the top of the stairs as she slipped into her room before hurrying to his own. He turned on the lamp by the bed before nudging off his shoes and padding to the bath. The white quartz vanity held two oversized porcelain sinks with nickel fixtures. A custom soaking tub, large enough for a grown man or several small children, hugged the wall by the window with a view of the lake, now all in blackness. He longed to sink into a nice hot bath, but a shower would be better. Shrugging out of his clothes, he stood under the warm spray in the large glass several-headed shower and let the water run over his skin. Steam rose up, mixing with the water to soothe his tired muscles that longed for sleep, even as his brain replayed his last few minutes with Leah.

  Her confession touched him, and her anguish somehow became his. He thought of his own secrets, and how unlocking them in her company had brought him more relief than he’d imagined possible. With her sharing the story of her poverty, it was as if they had crashed through the last barrier between them. Their secrets, instead of pulling them apart, had dissolved any obstacles that stood in their way, allowing their new love to grow beyond anything he’d hoped for after Desiree had died. Running the water over his face, he could still feel Leah’s soft, plump lips against his and the light taste of citrus from their drinks, cleansing and fresh. He hoped there’d be more kissing between he and Leah.

  Finishing his shower, he toweled off and threw on a pair of shorts and a light T-shirt. The shower had revived his tired body, and with Leah on his mind, he didn’t want to sleep. Picking up his phone from the dresser, he opened the oversized French doors, and stepped onto the balcony.

  There’d been a time when he couldn’t be out here. After Desiree’s death, the emptiness of the lake at night had brought on a cheerless desolation beyond his control. That all changed with Leah’s presence. Standing on the balcony downstairs, with Leah by his side in the warm candlelight, made the night more hospitable. His long, morose ruminations over Desiree’s death scattered like last autumn’s leaves. Life was green and good again. Happiness lapped gently into Trev’s mind like the lake at his feet that splashed against the shore, placid and steady.

  He turned his attention to his phone. It read midnight. His brother would be climbing into his Aston Martin in London for the drive into work. He punched in his brother’s number.

  Austin answered on the first ring. “Hey, Trev! I was just thinking of you.”

  Trev laughed easily. “That’s what you say every time I call.”

  “That’s because it’s true. I got your text about the property in Colorado when I woke up this morning. What happened?”

  Trev gave his brother the latest news.

  Austin’s voice held an edge. “That sounds messy.”

  “It will be,” Trev assured him.

  “What’s your plan?”

  Trev outlined his ideas about the repair and the coming lawsuit. “I’ve already talked to our lawyers. I called them as soon as the meeting wrapped up.”

  “Let’s try to keep this out of the papers, okay?” Austin said. “We don’t have anything to hide, but this is a private affair that’s nobody’s business.”

  “You don’t have to tell me twice,” Trev replied, his hostility toward the press rising to the surface. “But I don’t know if the tenant will feel the same.”

  “Yeah.” Austin conceded his point. “Just watch the usual outlets and get the lawyers on this as soon as possible.”

  Trev smiled. “I know I’m your younger brother, but I do know my way around a lawsuit.”

  Austin laughed. “Yeah, I know. Sorry. I’m just running through my mind how I’d handle it. Kind of thinking out loud.”

  “I’ll keep you posted,” Trev promised.

  “Please do. And what’s the update on Leah? How are things going?”

  Trev smiled as the feel of Leah’s lithe body against him came unbidden. He love
d the surprise of his thoughts landing on her. “We’re fine. Couldn’t be better, actually.”

  Austin’s voice lowered. “Did you tell her about Desiree?”

  “Yeah, I did.”

  Silence hung on the line, and Trev considered telling Austin his secret, but he shoved it out of the way. He didn’t want to ruin this beautiful night or his last memory of Leah by telling his dark story.

  “This thing with Leah sounds serious,” Austin replied.

  “I think so,” Trev said.

  “Is she ‘the one’?”

  Trev held his breath. Everything about Leah felt right. “I’m not sure yet, but it’s possible.” He hesitated before speaking slowly. “She’s so different from Desiree. Where Desiree was all party and glam, Leah is serious and soft.” He laughed. “And get this, Austin. She wears tennis shoes and socks.”

  Austin joined Trev’s laughter. “So do you, if I recall.”

  “Yeah, and it drove Desiree crazy.”

  “You’ve changed since you’ve lost Desiree,” Austin began. “Actually, you’d begun changing after Mom and Dad’s accident. You grew up, Trev. Maybe Desiree is simply a part of that growing up, and now it’s time for an adult relationship with a girl you can take into old age.”

  Austin’s words made something click with truth. Leah was that woman. Everything about her spoke to that: the way she cared for his folks, her gentle acceptance when he’d told her about Desiree, and the way her healing presence changed everything in his home, making it the place he chose to be.

  Austin was right. Trev wasn’t the same man who partied until dawn in Seattle with Desiree as arm candy. Nothing about that life appealed to him any longer. He wanted a home with a woman who loved him, instead of looking for the next shiny thing. He wanted children. Desiree had never wanted to have babies. She’d made her position very clear. Babies ruined bodies, and Desiree had worked hard for her figure. How did Leah feel about children? They hadn’t discussed it, but he already wanted her. “I think I might love her,” Trev confessed.