The Billionaire's Secretly Fake Bride (MANHATTAN BACHELORS Book 3)

by Susan Westwood

  Could he get any nicer? She’d turned his life upside down all because of a one-night stand and he was letting her stay in his house. He was paying her bills. He needed to stop. She was going to get used to it and miss it when it was gone. No one had ever taken care of her.

  “Okay. I’ll remember that. My brain is just a fog lately.”

  “I think it might be that way the whole time.”

  “What do you know about pregnancy?” Violet said.

  “Well, I’ve been listening to Dante talk about his wife who is pregnant right now. Due soon, I think. He said she was not herself either. It’s normal.”

  “I feel bad that you have to deal with this.”

  “I was there when you got pregnant. Remember? I also want this child and to know this child, so it’s what I have to do.”

  He was so realistic. Why hadn’t she called him? Why hadn’t she pursued him? Probably because they didn’t talk much during their night of passion. She didn’t get to know him at all. She was glad he was the father of her baby.

  She had to admit that she was beginning to toy with the idea of keeping the baby. Would Amedeo really want to be part of his life? He said he did, but at this point the whole idea was abstract. Would he feel the same when she was showing? When he knew there was an actual baby involved instead of them just playing house and having sex?

  “You don’t look as if you believe me,” he said.

  “It’s hard to imagine a bachelor wanting a child.”

  “I was engaged, remember? Having children was a sticking point. Tory didn’t think she wanted them and I wanted to be with her enough to let it go. She did me a favor.”

  “You wanted children?”

  “I did and I forgot that. I remembered it when you told me you were pregnant. I would have been in a marriage and not true to myself,” he said.

  She was so independent that she couldn’t imagine doing that. She only had herself to rely on for most of her life. Her mother hadn’t been useful in that sense. Or maybe she had since Violet knew how to survive on her own. Maybe her mother had done her a favor.

  “Did you want children?” he said.

  “I never planned on getting married and girls in my neighborhood got pregnant to hold onto a guy.”

  “How did that work out?”

  “Not well. If the baby daddies had a job their wages would be garnished, but if they didn’t they were long gone before the baby came.”

  “Is that what your father did?”

  Violet sighed. She hadn’t wanted to talk about her childhood. “Yes. My mother didn’t pursue him either. She wasn’t a strong woman.”

  “Wasn’t?”

  “No, she died a few years ago. She was an alcoholic and she finally drank herself to death.”

  He reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry.”

  “Not your fault.”

  She looked down at his olive-skinned hand on her much darker one. His fingers were long and lean while hers were short and round. Swelling already.

  “Still. I’m sorry that you had to go through something like that. Other than my father dying at a younger age, my life was pretty easy. Not that I haven’t worked as an adult for all that I have, but I had a good base. Must be tougher when you don’t.”

  Violet shrugged. “I’ve never thought about it that way. I’ve never assumed I was a victim. I just carried on.”

  “I hope our child gets that strength from you.”

  “You’ve sold two companies. You have determination, too,” she said.

  He nodded. “Then our child will have no choice, but to be successful.”

  The food came. Violet dug into hers. She was starving. As the food filled her stomach, she felt better and better. Calmer. Amedeo had ordered a muffin and coffee. He was finished long before she was. He leaned back and watched her eat as he drank the rest of his drink.

  “I’m sorry I ordered so much, but I was really hungry.”

  “You’re eating for two. It’s understandable.”

  “Still.”

  “No, enjoy. I’m in no hurry.”

  “You sure? I know we have to get to work.”

  “It’s fine. I told my assistant I’d be late. I also told Carl, my IT guy, to be ready for you later in the morning. I can fix it all, don’t worry.”

  She glanced up at him, her fork part way to her mouth. She’d bet he could fix anything. Isn’t that what men did? Fixed things? It was just part of their nature. She finished putting the food in her mouth.

  “I could get used to this and that scares me, Amedeo.”

  “Why? We will have a child together. I will always be in your life in some form.”

  She knew that. She wondered how she would handle it when he did finally marry and had a child with that person. Right now, she had him all to herself.

  Yikes. She had to stop thinking that way.

  ***

  Violet had been quiet since the end of breakfast. They’d walked home in silence then she showered and changed for work. They’d only arrived an hour later than everyone else arrived at work. More like two hours later than he normally entered his office. He did run the company so he liked to be there first.

  “Are you nervous?” he said when they climbed into the car.

  “No, why?”

  “You’re just being quiet.”

  She rubbed a hand down her face. “I guess I’m embarrassed about this morning.”

  He took her hand in his. “Don’t be. You’re pregnant. It’s to be expected.”

  “Still.”

  “Please don’t be, Violet. I’m not going to judge you.”

  He wanted her to know that. He understood. He would understand. This child was his also and he was willing to invest the time.

  “Thanks. Tell me about your IT guy.”

  “Carl? He’s a former Marine. Tough as nails, but fair. His employees say they never have to guess what he is thinking. He’s well liked and the only person who has left his department since we started left because she quit to have a child.”

  “Sounds good. Are his skills good?”

  “He’s good, but he’s assembled a great team. I was surprised when he told me someone had hacked into my system. They are top notch and often get headhunted by bigger companies”

  “But they stay?”

  “We always counter offer. Carl thinks they’re all worth it so I believe him.”

  Amedeo still held Violet’s hand. It was warm and soft and he liked holding it. She didn’t retrieve it until they arrived at work. She followed him to his office where he called his employee.

  Carl was a squat man and Violet instantly liked him. He shook her hand, looking her in the eye.

  “How much experience do you have with security?” he said when they sat down in Amedeo’s office.

  “It’s mainly what I do. I’ve done some app development, but I really prefer the security aspect of systems. I can usually get into a system pretty easily.”

  An eyebrow of Carl’s went up. “Oh? Let me see.”

  She pulled out her laptop and fifteen minutes later, she showed him that she was in their system. Amedeo’s phone rang. He was impressed with her skills.

  “Yes, Carl is here.”

  He handed the phone to his employee who said that they were doing a test and that it was okay that someone had hacked into them this time. He handed the phone back to Amedeo.

  “For the record, I used brute force not finesse, this time. I wanted to show you that it can be done and to show you that I was in there. If I were truly hacking, I’d have taken more time and you wouldn’t have known I was there,” she said.

  Amedeo flushed with pride. Violet was really good at this. Why was she wasting her time doing this freelance or why wasn’t she paid more than she was? They hadn’t talked pay, but he would give her whatever she wanted.

  “Got it,” Carl said, grinning. “I think you’re the person for the job.”

  “I need a way to get into the system w
ithout looking like an employee.”

  “Each user name has a pattern to identify someone as working here,” Carl said. “I can give you an administrator login that only I have. And Amedeo of course, but I altered it a bit so I know it’s you in there.”

  “Good. You don’t think this is an inside job?” she said.

  Amedeo glanced at Carl. “What do you think?”

  “No, I don’t. I trust my people implicitly,” Carl said. “I hired every one of them and did a thorough background check.”

  “Will you do that on me?” Violet asked.

  “No, I’m trusting Amedeo’s opinion of you. And frankly I’m not sure I care about your background. I saw what you can do and I think you can help us.”

  “What do you want to do next?” Violet said.

  “Let’s meet the staff?” Carl said.

  He stood. Violet stood also. She nodded at Amedeo and they left. He leaned back in his chair. That had worked out. Now he needed to get down to business. He was behind, but he wouldn’t tell Violet that.

  He had only worked for a half an hour when he heard a voice outside his door.

  “I know he’ll want to see me. You can’t stop me.”

  His eyes fell closed. Tory.

  What the Hell was she doing here? Hadn’t he made it clear his feelings about her? He ended up being happy that they’d broken up, but he had no desire to see her. His office door flew open. Tory sailed in with Madge chasing behind her.

  Save him from females today.

  “I’m sorry, Amedeo. She pushed past me and I didn’t want to be arrested for assault,” Madge said.

  “It’s okay, Madge. I’ll deal with this.”

  His assistant backed out of the doorway, not closing the door. Good girl. She would probably wait right outside in case he needed any help. That’s why he paid her the big bucks.

  He turned his attention to the intruder. “What do you want, Tory?”

  She strode to his desk, standing in his personal space. He moved his chair away from her. When she’d canceled the wedding, she’d lost the right to be that close.

  “I want you back, Amedeo. I miss you.”

  “You might miss my big dick, but I doubt you miss me.”

  Her mouth dropped open. He’d never talked to her like that. She didn’t like dirty talk. She didn’t even like dirty sex. Missionary position. Lights off. In bed. Sometimes she’d deign to be on top. Though her blow jobs were legendary. When she chose to give one.

  “That’s awful, Amedeo. I don’t deserve that.”

  “Tory, you don’t deserve my time.”

  A security guard appeared in his doorway. Madge must have called him. “Is there a problem, Mr. Killiano?”

  Tory’s eyes widened.

  “Could you please escort this young lady out of my building?”

  “Sure, sir.”

  Problem solved.

  ***

  Violet almost ran into Tory and the security guard as she walked to Amedeo’s office.

  “Bitch,” Tory said. “Give me back my man.”

  Tory cocked her arm backwards, but the security guard grabbed it before she could connect with Violet’s face. Holy shit. And she thought she could be ghetto. The security guy led a screaming Tory away from Amedeo’s doorway. Violet’s heart pounded in her chest. Not because Tory had scared her, but because she would have had to mess up that bitch if she’d punched her.

  Violet had tried to leave the ghetto behind, but if someone threatened her, it came out. She couldn’t help it. It was a part of her she’d probably never get rid of.

  She didn’t really want Amedeo to see that. He might rethink her raising his child. She shook off the encounter with Tory, but when she looked up. Amedeo was in his doorway. He grabbed her hand, dragging her into his office.

  “You okay? I’m sorry about her.”

  She blinked. He was apologizing for Tory? “Her crazy isn’t your fault.”

  “Still, I brought her into your life,” Amedeo said.

  This man never ceased to amaze her. “It’s fine, Amedeo. I’m fine. I just wanted to make sure it was okay that I got started. Do I need to sign any paperwork to take on this project?”

  “Uh, yeah, I guess you’ll have to. How about you get started with IT and I’ll have the papers sent down?”

  “That’s fine.”

  She trusted him. He wouldn’t screw her over. Too bad she didn’t think this was a real job. Carl was waiting for her when she returned to one floor down where the IT guys had offices.

  “I’ve found a place you can work. Did Amedeo get you situated with paperwork?”

  “He’s going to send it down here for me to sign.”

  “Okay, but you can get started?”

  “I can. Do you have my user ID and password?”

  “You’re all set. You’ll enter the system as a user that only Amedeo and I recognize. I’ll know when you’ve been in because my staff will report to me, but they won’t know who you are.”

  She nodded. She’d never had such unlimited access. It was a little unnerving. “You’ll be able to track what I’m doing?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where am I not allowed in case I go there accidentally?

  Carl laughed. “Anything to do with finance. You can’t go write yourself a check.”

  She chuckled. “That’s where I was going first.” Not that she needed to. Amedeo was offering her double her usual fee. She sobered. “Does Amedeo often use outside help?”

  “No, but this is a unique case. He doesn’t hand out jobs to anyone if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  “I am.”

  Carl shook his head. “Amedeo is serious about his business. He wouldn’t bring you in unless he trusted you and thought you could do the job.”

  She wasn’t completely reassured. “All I need now is to log in and for you to show me where you think this person has been. I can assess if any damage has been done. And I can contain him or her.”

  “That sounds great.”

  “Will I have offsite access?”

  “No, that’s not negotiable. You’ll have to come in to get onto our system. Amedeo doesn’t even have offsite access.”

  “Wow. That’s secure. I’m surprised someone got in,” she said.

  Carl shrugged. “Most likely some kid who just wanted a challenge.”

  “They can be the worst. Some snot sitting in his dorm room with nothing to do,” she said. “I’ve fixed a few of those.”

  She logged into the system to check around. She saw the back door the hacker left, but she wasn’t ready to close it. He or she would know that they’d been found. No, she had to be stealthy and quick.

  If the person was in here now, they’d see her and hopefully to the interloper, she’d look like an employee. Carl had said her login would work that way. She hoped he’d done it properly. Otherwise the hacker might leave mines for her to stumble on and blow up the system. That would be bad both for Amedeo and for her.

  “Have you worked for Amedeo long?”

  They sat in an office down the hall. She didn’t mind if Carl wanted to watch. She appreciated the company.

  “Since he started this company.”

  She nodded. “He spoke highly of you.”

  “He spoke highly of you. How do you know each other?”

  She didn’t want to start gossip, nor did she know how much Amedeo had said to Carl. “Uh, we ran into each other in a bar.”

  Carl smirked, but let the subject drop. She’d bet that Amedeo often picked up women in bars. Usually they didn’t look like her. At least not based on what his ex-fiancé looked like. She was a tall, leggy blonde. Violet was not. Why was Amedeo so enamored of her? She wasn’t his type.

  She’d have to keep remembering that. This was all temporary. They would see each other once the baby was here, but they wouldn’t be lovers anymore. She sighed at the idea. It might be months before she would have sex again. Maybe years. She’d have to get as much as
she could before he was repulsed by her large belly.

  It would probably happen. If Tory was Amedeo’s ideal, then Violet didn’t stand a chance. Certainly not pregnant and cranky. Her time was limited so she might as well make the best of it.

  Despite not wanting to rely on Amedeo, she had no choice. She had no means of income other than freelancing. No health insurance. No place to stay other than Amedeo’s house. Why had she agreed to that?

  Once again, her pregnancy brain struck. She had a feeling that these moments of lucidity were going to be few and far between.

  *

  Amedeo looked at his phone and realized that it was almost six. He hadn’t seen Violet all day. His assistant had grabbed some lunch for him, but he didn’t know if Violet had eaten. She must be starved.

  They could go out. He was too tired and keyed up to cook. He’d take her some place nice, but not so nice that they would be underdressed. He’d ask what she wanted. That would be the thing to do. If she didn’t have a preference, he knew where he’d bring her. He had a few places he liked that were small and intimate.

  They could talk about the baby.

  He found Violet in an office, all alone. The rest of the IT department must have gone home.

  “Hi.”

  She looked up at him startled. “Hi.” She studied him. “You ready to go already?”

  “It’s six, Violet. Time to eat. Did you get lunch?”

  “Yes, Carl hooked me up.”

  “Good.”

  At least his employee was taking care of her. Even if the man didn’t know their story, Carl probably suspected there was more to the story than Amedeo had let on. His employee wouldn’t ask, but if he did tell him the truth, would be discreet. He had no doubt of the man’s loyalty to him. Amedeo knew how to pick employees.

  “I need five minutes,” Violet said.

  “That’s all I’ll give you and I’m timing you,” he said.

  He settled himself on the chair opposite her, but didn’t stare. No matter how much he wanted to. She stuck her tongue out at him, just a little. Her brow was creased from concentrating. He played a game on his phone instead of reading emails. The emails could wait until he wasn’t hungry anymore. He might not give the person the answer they wanted.