by Maya Banks
He held up a placating hand. “Don’t upset yourself, Jewel. I’m sorry if I’ve offended you. Taking over is what I do. You asked for my help, and I’m here to offer it, and yet now you don’t seem to want it.”
“I want your help without conditions.”
For a long moment they stared at each other, neither backing down as the challenge was laid.
“And I’m afraid that I’m unwilling to just sit back and not have a say.”
“You’re not even convinced this is your child,” she threw out.
He nodded. “That’s true. I’d be a fool to blindly accept your word. We hardly know each other. How do I know you didn’t set the entire thing up? Regardless, I’m willing to help. I have much to make up for. For now I’m willing to go with the assumption that you’re carrying my daughter. I want us to marry before you have any further medical treatment.”
“But that’s just insane,” she protested.
He continued on as if she hadn’t spoken. “I’ll have an agreement drawn up to protect both our interests. If it turns out you’ve lied and the child is not mine, the marriage will immediately be terminated. I’ll provide a settlement for you and your daughter, and we’ll go our separate ways.”
She didn’t miss the way he said “your daughter,” the way he purposely distanced himself from the equation. If she lied. She almost shook her head. She would have had to have jumped directly from his bed into another man’s for the timing to be such that the baby could be someone else’s. What he must think of her. Hardly a basis for marriage.
“And if she is yours?” she asked softly.
“Then we remain married.”
She was already shaking her head. “No. I don’t want to marry you. You can’t want this either.”
“I won’t argue about this, Jewel. You will marry me and you’ll do it immediately. Think about what’s best for your daughter. The longer we spend arguing, the longer you and the baby are at risk.”
“You really are blackmailing me,” she said in disbelief.
“Think what you want,” he offered with a casual shrug.
“She is your child,” she said fiercely. “You get those damn tests done, but she’s yours.”
Piers nodded. “I’m willing to concede that she could be mine. I wouldn’t have offered marriage if I didn’t think the possibility existed.”
“And yet you don’t want to wait for those results before you tie us together?”
“How strangely you put it,” he said with mild amusement. “Our agreement will allow for any possibility. As I’ve said, if it turns out you’ve lied to me, our marriage will end immediately. I’m prepared to be generous in spite of the lie, but it will be on my terms. And if, as you said, that she is my daughter, then the best course is for us to be married and provide a stable home for her.”
“With two parents who can barely tolerate one another.”
He raised one eyebrow. “I wouldn’t go that far. I’d say we got on quite well together that night in my hotel room.”
A deep flush worked its way over her cheeks. “Lust is no substitute for love, trust and commitment.”
“And who is to say those things won’t follow?”
She stared at him in astonishment.
“Give it a chance, Jewel. Who is to say what the future holds for us. For now, it isn’t wise to dwell on things that might not even be an issue. We have your surgery to contend with and of course the results of the paternity test.”
“Of course. Silly me to consider the cornerstones of marriage when in fact we’re considering getting married.”
“There is no need to be so sarcastic. Now, if we’re finished, I suggest you get some rest. There are many things to be done, and the sooner I arrange everything, the sooner you can be at ease.”
“I haven’t said I’ll marry you,” she said evenly.
“No, and I’m waiting for your answer.”
Frustration beat at her temples. How infuriating was this man. Arrogant. Convinced of getting his way each and every time. And yet, the jerk was right on all counts. She needed him. Their daughter needed him.
Sadness crept over her, and she lay back, closing her eyes. She felt disgustingly weepy. This was so far removed from the way she’d dreamed things might be one day. In her more sane moments, she’d accepted the fact that she’d probably never marry, never have someone she could absolutely trust. Trust just wasn’t in her makeup. And yet, it hadn’t stopped her fanciful daydreams of a strong, loving man. Someone who wouldn’t abuse her trust. Someone who would love her unconditionally.
“It won’t be as bad as that,” Piers said gently as he took her hand in his once more.
She opened her eyes to see him staring intently at her.
“All right, Piers. I’ll marry you,” she said wearily. “But I’ll have conditions of my own.”
“I’ll provide a lawyer to represent your interests. He can look over my part of the agreement and advise you accordingly.”
How sterile and cold it all sounded. More like a hostile business takeover than a marriage. A delicate shiver skirted up her spine and prickled her nape. There was no doubt that she was making a mistake. Perhaps the biggest mistake of her life. But for her child, she’d do this. She’d do anything. From the moment she discovered she was pregnant, her child became everything to her. She wouldn’t lose her daughter. If she had to marry the devil himself, she’d grit her teeth and bear it.
“How about I choose the lawyer and have him bill you,” she offered sweetly.
To her surprise he chuckled. “Don’t trust me? I suppose you have no reason to. Of course. Choose your lawyer and have him send me the bill.”
Her eyes narrowed. He was positively magnanimous, but then he could afford to be now that he’d won.
“Is there anything you need? Anything you’d like me to bring you?”
She hesitated for a moment. “Food.”
“Food? They don’t feed you here?”
“Really good food,” she said hopefully. “I’m starving.”
He smiled, and she felt the jolt all the way to her toes. Damn the man for looking so disgustingly appealing. She didn’t want to be attracted to him anymore. Her hand smoothed over her belly in another silent apology. She didn’t regret a single thing about their night of passion, but it didn’t mean she wanted to dwell on it forever.
“I will see what I can do about getting you some really good food. Now, get some rest. I’ll be back after a while.”
As if she would rest now that he’d arrived and turned her life upside down.
Then he surprised her by leaning down and brushing his lips across her forehead in a surprisingly tender gesture. She held her breath, enjoying the brief contact. As he drew away, his fingers trailed down her cheek.
“I don’t want you to worry about anything. Just rest and get well and take good care of your…our daughter.”
He seemed to struggle with the last as if he was making a concession to her claim, and yet, he looked grim. Maybe he had no wish for children. Tough. He now had a daughter, and he might as well get used to the idea.
He gave her one last look and then turned to walk briskly from the hospital room. When the door shut behind him, Jewel let out her breath in a long whoosh.
Married.
She couldn’t imagine being married to such a hard man. She’d had enough hard people in her life. Emotionless, cold individuals with no heart, no love. And now she was consigned to a marriage that would be a replica of her childhood.
Her hands rubbed and massaged her swollen belly. “It will never be like that for you, sweetie. I love you so much already, and there’ll never be a day you won’t know it. I swear. No matter what happens with your daddy, you’ll always have me.”
CHAPTER 6
“I’ve done a terrible thing,” Piers said when his brother, Chrysander, muttered an unintelligible greeting in Greek.
Chrysander sighed, and Piers could hear him sit up in bed and fight
the covers for a moment.
“Why is it becoming commonplace for my younger brothers to call me in the middle of the night with those exact words?”
“Theron messed up lately?” Piers asked in amusement.
“Not since he seduced a woman under his protection,” Chrysander said dryly.
“Ahh, you mean Bella. Why do I imagine that it was she who did the seducing?”
“You’re straying from the topic. What is this terrible thing you’ve done, and how much is it going to cost?”
“Maybe nothing. Maybe everything,” Piers said quietly.
A curse escaped Chrysander’s lips, and then Piers heard him say something to Marley in the background.
“Don’t worry Marley over this,” Piers said. “I’m sorry to have disturbed her sleep.”
“It’s too late for that,” Chrysander growled. “Just give me a moment to go into my office.”
Piers waited, drumming his fingers on the desk in his hotel room. Finally Chrysander came back on the line.
“Now tell me what’s wrong.”
Just like Chrysander to get to the point.
“I had an affair—a brief affair, a one-night stand really.”
“So?” Chrysander asked impatiently. “This isn’t new for you.”
“She was my new assistant.” Chrysander cursed again.
“I didn’t know she was my assistant until she showed up for work. I had her fired.”
Chrysander groaned. “How much is she suing us for?”
“Let me finish.” This time it was Piers who was impatient. “I didn’t intend to fire her at all. I asked my human resources manager to transfer her, or promote her or pay her for her entire contracted term, but he only heard the get rid of her part and fired her. She disappeared before I could remedy the situation, and I wasn’t able to locate her. Until now.”
“Okay, so what’s the problem?”
“She’s in the hospital. She’s ill, she needs surgery… and she’s pregnant.”
Dead silence greeted his announcement.
“Theos,” Chrysander breathed. “Piers, you can’t let this happen again. Last time—”
“I know,” Piers said irritably. The last thing he needed was a recap of that disaster from his brother. It was bad enough he’d been made a complete fool of, but his brothers had witnessed the entire debacle.
“Are you certain the child is yours?”
“No. I’ve asked for paternity testing.”
“Good.”
“There’s something else you should know,” Piers said. “I’m going to marry her. Soon, as in the next few days.”
“What? Have you lost your mind?”
“Funny, that’s what she asked me.”
“I’m glad one of you has sense then,” Chrysander said heatedly. “Why on earth would you marry this woman when you don’t even know if the child is yours?”
“It’s amazing how the tables have turned,” Piers said mildly.
“Don’t even start. I heard the same thing from Theron when he was so set on marrying Alannis. Never mind that I was right about what a disaster that would be. You two warning me about Marley was an entirely different situation, and you know it. You don’t have a relationship with this woman. You slept with her one night, and now she claims to be pregnant with your child, and you’re going to marry her? Just like that?”
“She needs my help. I’m not stupid. I’m having our lawyer draw up an ironclad agreement that provides stipulations for the possibility that the child isn’t mine. For now, with her surgery looming, it’s best that we marry. This way I can make decisions for her care and that of the child’s. If it does turn out to be my daughter, how would I feel if I had sat back and done nothing while I waited for the proof?”
“Daughter?”
“Yes. Apparently Jewel is pregnant with a girl.”
Despite his doubts and his heavy suspicions, he couldn’t help but smile at the image of a little girl with big eyes and a sweet smile.
“Jewel. What’s her last name?”
“Oh no you don’t, big brother. There’s no need to get all protective and have her background dug up. I can handle this myself. You just concern yourself with your wife and my nephew.”
“I don’t want you hurt again,” Chrysander said quietly.
And there it was. No matter how much he wanted to avoid the past, it was always there, hanging like a dark cloud. Unbidden, the image of another child, a sweet baby boy, dark-haired with a cherubic smile and chubby little legs, came painfully to mind. Eric. Not many days had gone by that Piers hadn’t thought of him in some form or fashion, but not until now had such pain accompanied the memories.
“This time, I’m going to make sure that my interests are better protected,” Piers said coldly. “I was a fool then.”
Chrysander sighed. “You were young, Piers.”
“It was no excuse.”
“Call me if you need me. Marley and I would like to come to your wedding. It will be better if family is there.”
“There’s no need.”
“There is every need,” Chrysander said, interrupting him. “Let me know the details, and we’ll fly out.”
Piers’s hand gripped the phone tighter. It was nice to have such unconditional support. And then he realized the irony. He hadn’t exactly offered Jewel his unconditional support. He’d strong-armed her and taken advantage of her situation.
“All right. I’ll call when I have the arrangements made.”
“Be sure and let Theron know as well. He and Bella will want to be there.”
Piers sighed. “Yes, big brother.”
Chrysander chuckled. “This is a small thing I ask. It’s not as if you’ve ever listened to me before.”
“Give Marley my love.”
“I will—and Piers? Be careful. I don’t like the sound of this at all.”
Piers hung up the phone. He should call Theron, but he couldn’t bring himself to face another inquisition. Especially now that Theron had joined the ranks of the deliriously happy. He’d be appalled that Piers was going to marry a woman he barely knew, a woman who might well be lying to him.
Instead he phoned his lawyer and outlined his situation. Then he arranged a security detail for Jewel. He and his brothers took no chances with those close to them after what had happened to Chrysander’s wife, Marley. Next he called to see when Jewel’s doctor would next be making his rounds. He intended to be there so he’d know exactly what was going on.
Lastly, he called a local restaurant and arranged for a full-course dinner to be prepared for pickup in an hour.
* * *
Jewel was ready to fidget right out of the bed. She’d only gotten up to use the bathroom, and now she’d decided she’d had enough. The doctor was releasing her tomorrow now that someone had shown up to take care of her. She had to work to keep the snort of derision from rising in her throat.
She could do without Piers Anetakis’s brand of caring.
The thin hospital gown offered little in the way of modesty, and so after showering, she dressed in a pair of loose-fitting sweats and a maternity shirt. She toweled her hair as dry as she could and left it loose so it would finish drying.
She had settled in the small recliner to the side of her bed when the door opened, and Piers strode in carrying two large take-out bags.
She sat forward nervously as his gaze swept over her. Then his eyes narrowed, and he set the bags down on the bed.
“You should not have showered until I was here.”
Her mouth fell open in shock. “What?”
“You could have fallen. You should have waited for me to help or at least called for the nurse.”
“How do you know I didn’t call for one of the nurses?”
He stared inquisitively at her, his eyes mocking. “Did you?”
“It’s none of your business,” she muttered.
“If you’re pregnant with my child, it’s every bit of my business.”
&
nbsp; “Look, Piers, we need to get something straight right now. Me being pregnant with your child does not give you any rights over me whatsoever. I won’t allow you to waltz in and take over my life.”
Even as the sharp protest left her lips, she realized how stupid she sounded. That’s precisely what he had done so far. Taken over. What else explained the reason for this marriage he proposed?
She bit her lip and looked away, her hand automatically moving to her belly in a soothing motion.
Piers began taking food out of the bags as if she’d said nothing at all. The smells wafted through her nostrils, and her stomach growled. Heavenly.
She raised an eyebrow. She wouldn’t have thought he’d give much thought to what she could or couldn’t have.
“Thank you, I’m starving.”
He prepared a plate and handed it to her along with utensils. Then he fixed a plate for himself and settled on the edge of the bed.
“I can get back into the bed so you have a place to sit,” she offered.
He shook his head. “You look comfortable. I’m fine.”
They ate in silence, though she knew he watched her. She refused to acknowledge his perusal, though, and concentrated on the delicious food instead.
When she couldn’t eat another bite, she sighed and put down her fork.
“That was wonderful, thank you.”
He took the plate and set it on the counter along the wall. “Would you like to get back into bed now?”
She shook her head. “I’ve had enough bed to last a lifetime.”
“But shouldn’t you be in bed with your feet up?” he persisted.
“I’m doing well. The doctor wants me on moderated bed rest until my surgery. That means I can get up and move around. He just doesn’t want me on my feet for long periods of time.”
“And this job you had, you were on your feet all the time?” he asked with a frown.
“I was waitressing. It was necessary.”
“You should have phoned me the minute you knew you were pregnant,” he said fiercely.
Her expression turned murderous. “You had me fired. You told me quite plainly that you wanted nothing further to do with me. Why on earth would I be calling you? I wouldn’t have called you now if I hadn’t needed you so badly.”
