by Coleen Kwan
She could only stay if she told Joe the truth. But if she did that, he wouldn’t want her to stay… Or would he? It was a high-risk gamble with awful odds. Even if she told Joe who she was and, by some miracle, he forgave her the deception, he wasn’t offering her a relationship. He’d never wanted a relationship.
Joe’s fingers tightened on her shoulder, and she saw the strain in his eyes. Maybe Joe was slowly realizing that he didn’t want to be a bachelor all his life. Maybe he could envision some sort of future…with her?
She licked her lips, dizzy with fear and hope and tiredness. The choices before her were so scary she could hardly think straight.
“Nina?” A male voice spoke from the door behind her. “Is that you?”
The confusion in her head shattered and reformed into black dread.
No, it can’t be… She spun round to find her worst fears confirmed—her father stood in the open doorway.
Whether she wanted him to or not, Joe was about to find out who she really was.
Chapter Thirteen
“Dad!” Her voice was a high-pitched squeak. “What on earth are you doing here? How—how did you find me?”
Carson Beaumont stepped into the room, his face craggy with disapproval. “I got it out of Lindsey.”
Lindsey! How could her best friend have given her up? But Nina knew what a bulldozer her father could be when he wanted something. Lindsey had probably tried calling to warn her, but Nina’s cell phone lay forgotten in her room.
“Dad, I don’t—”
“Are you the owner of this place?” Her father’s suspicious gaze had moved past her and fixed on Joe.
“That’s right,” Joe said stiffly, holding out his hand. “Joe Farina.”
Her father ignored Joe’s outstretched hand and turned back to Nina. “What the hell are you doing in a place like this? I thought you were taking a vacation, but—” He pulled a face as he waved at her grubby jeans and work-soiled T-shirt. “It sure doesn’t look like it, from the way you’re dressed.”
She flushed with anger at his rudeness toward Joe, toward herself. But before she could speak, Joe interrupted.
“Nina’s not a guest here,” Joe snapped, his face tight with anger. “She’s my maid and busgirl.”
Carson’s jaw sagged open. “You mean to say she’s…”
“Yup. Your daughter is scrubbing toilets, clearing tables, washing dishes. She even peels vegetables on occasion.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Her father gaped at Nina, completely bewildered. “Why?”
A hot lump in her throat prevented her from breathing. The sound of impending doom crashed in her brain.
“Dad, we need to talk.”
“Damn straight we do. You’ve got a lot of explaining to do, young lady.”
Finally anger spurted out, a welcome relief. “Don’t treat me like a child. We’re going to talk as adults and equals, or not at all.”
Her father blinked at her in surprise. “Fine. But you’re going to tell me everything.”
Joe moved between them, his eyes flinty. “Maybe you’d like to talk here in my study, Mr. Summers,” Joe said, his voice like steel.
“Summers? My name’s not Summers.” He appeared offended that he wasn’t instantly recognizable. “I’m Carson Beaumont,” he announced in that booming, self-important tone of his that made Nina wince.
She couldn’t breathe again. She could only watch as sheer disbelief blanked out Joe’s expression.
“Carson Beaumont?” he echoed, incredulous. “The guy who’s been trying to get his grubby hands on my property so he can bulldoze it and dump a fucking megaresort here? The guy who sends his numbskull goons to do his dirty work for him? That Carson Beaumont?” His face puckered with disgust.
Nina’s father puffed up with rage. “Who the hell are— Wait a minute! I thought this town rang a bell, and now I remember who you are—”
“That’s right, I’m the owner of that property you’re so desperate to buy,” Joe snarled. “And I’m never going to sell to you.”
“Now don’t be so hasty.” Carson adjusted the collar of his jacket, looking highly annoyed. “Damn that Perry. Can’t rely on him to do a simple job.”
Joe turned on Nina, his eyes blazing with fury. “You’re Carson Beaumont’s daughter? I can’t believe it.” His contempt made her skin peel.
“Please, I can explain.” She reached for him, but he jerked away like she was contaminated.
“I don’t want to hear it.”
Without another word, he exited the room, leaving behind an emotional vacuum that threatened to burst Nina’s chest.
“That fella needs a lesson in manners,” her father grouched.
Helpless fury filled her. “Look who’s talking! You refused to shake hands with him!” Her entire body was shaking with shock.
Carson screwed up his forehead. “What’s got into you?”
She couldn’t do this in Joe’s office. “Let’s go somewhere else,” she said and led the way next door to her room.
“What’s this?” Her father looked about the bare room, his nose wrinkling. “Don’t tell me this is where you’ve been sleeping?”
She huffed impatiently. “It’s fine, Dad.”
He clasped her arm. “Tell me the truth. Are you okay? Did Farina do anything to you, because if he’s hurt you, I swear I’ll make him pay.”
“Never mind that,” she snapped. “Why the hell are you trying to squeeze Joe into selling his property to you? Why can’t you leave him alone?” Her cheeks were hot with anger, and she was having trouble controlling her temper.
He waved a hand dismissively. “It’s just business—”
“Business? I knew you were a hard-ass, but I never thought you could be so ruthless. I’m ashamed of you.”
His eyes hardened. “Where do you think the money comes from to buy you BMWs?”
“Oh, no. Don’t try to put the blame on me. You do this all for yourself. You enjoy stomping over other people. Well, not this time. You’re not going to stomp over Joe and this town.”
Her father blinked and stared at her as if seeing her for the first time.
“Does this Farina guy have something over you? Is he forcing you to work here without telling anyone?”
She sighed in exasperation. Her father wasn’t going to give ground on his business dealings with Joe, and neither was she, but that battle would have to wait until later.
“He didn’t force me to do anything. This job was all my idea.”
“But why? I don’t understand? You want a crap job in the boondocks?” Her father looked almost comical in his amazement. “And why did you give him a false name?”
“I didn’t want anyone here to know who I was. I wanted to forget I was a Beaumont, at least for a while.”
“By cleaning toilets and busing tables? People like us don’t do that.”
“Don’t be such a snob. Someone has to do those jobs, so why not me?”
“Because you have several million reasons not to.”
“Oh, why don’t you see?” She whirled on him. “I’m sick of being a Beaumont. That name and that money ruin everything!”
Carson looked taken aback. “You’re still hurting over Oliver. I can understand that. I never took him for a fortune hunter either.”
Nina shook her head. “It’s more than Oliver; it’s my job, too. My manager gave me a promotion, but everyone I work with thinks I only got it because I’m a Beaumont, and when I talked to Harry about it, he sounded so weird I knew something was up. Did you order him to promote me?”
He lifted his hands. “Not ordered, encouraged. And I was only trying to help you.”
“Then why don’t you let me win or lose on my own merits?” She fumed at him, incredulous that her father could be so dense at times. “What on earth possessed you to do that?”
“Because I want you to stay at the company,” he blustered, looking irritated. “You pulled some crazy stunts when you were younger
, and look! You’re still pulling crazy stunts. Who in their right mind runs away to be a maid? And without even telling anyone?” He thrust his hands upward. “No one but you, Nina. I was right to chase you down. I mean, how long were you planning on hanging around here anyway?”
“I was going to come home tomorrow.” She huffed. “I wasn’t running away for good. I knew I had to get back to my job.” The job she didn’t want anymore. But that argument, too, could wait for another day.
Carson grunted. “If that’s the case, I’m getting you out of this place right now. The helicopter is waiting at the airfield. We can be gone as soon as you’ve packed your things.” He made a face at her working gear. “Although, if that’s what you’re wearing these days, you might as well leave everything behind. You can restock your wardrobe back in San Francisco.”
Alarm heaved in her stomach. She wasn’t ready for this. She’d been gearing up to slink out tomorrow morning, but she wasn’t prepared to leave right this second. “Um, you flew here in the helicopter?” she asked, stalling for time.
“Yes. I don’t have all day.”
Of course he didn’t, and with the helicopter emblazoned with his company name, everyone in town would know by now he’d arrived. Nina’s heart sank at the thought of the whole town figuring who she really was.
Her dad moved toward the door. “You drove here, didn’t you? I’ll get someone to drive your Beemer down to San Francisco.”
“Actually, I’m going to need someone with a crane or something. I had a little accident. The car sank into the water in a disused quarry.”
“What!”
“I’m really sorry.”
He grumped something that sounded like “more crazy stunts,” and this time she couldn’t blame him.
“I’ll take care of the car,” she said, and when he went to protest, she added, “No, really. It’s my car and my responsibility. I’ll handle it.”
“Fine.” He flicked at his jacket sleeve. “Can we go now?”
Her mouth dried. “I want to talk to Joe first. Alone. Can you wait out in the bar or something?”
He heaved a sigh of resignation. “I’ll wait in the hired car. It’s a black Merc outside. Don’t take too long. Ellen and I have a party to attend this evening.”
He stomped out of the room, leaving Nina shaken and tense. Not because of what had just happened, but because of what was yet to happen. Between her and Joe. She needed to see him one last time, even knowing that he despised her. Despite whatever fury he threw at her, she owed him an explanation.
…
Joe stood in the hallway outside Nina’s room, his body raging with a strange, desperate anger. As soon as he’d seen Carson Beaumont leave the inn, he’d strode back here to wait. To wait for Nina and the showdown they had to have.
The door opened, and Nina stopped dead as their gazes clashed. His stomach snarled. He motioned with his head for her to follow him. Mistrust and fury pounded against his skull as he marched into his office, waited for her to enter, and shut the door.
“Did your father put you up to this?” he barked out. His tension had reached the breaking point.
“What? No.” She shook her head in bewilderment.
“Don’t act dumb. You lied your way into a job here so you could spy on me and tell your father everything I was doing.”
Her jaw sagged. “That’s not true! My dad didn’t know I was here.”
He barely heard her as nasty suspicions poisoned his mind. “Did he really expect you to sleep with me? Or was that just a little extra fun for you?”
Her face paled. “If what you say is true, why would my dad drop in like he did and blow my cover, huh?”
Maybe that part at least was true. He blinked and looked at her with fresh, cynical eyes. “Jesus Christ. I still can’t believe you’re his daughter. Annette Martha Beaumont. Yeah, I looked you up on the internet while you were powwowing with your dad. Your sister is marrying a senator’s son. That’s the wedding you were talking about.” He shook his head in disbelief. “You’ve been lying to me since the day we met.”
“Joe, I’m so sorry for lying.” She lowered her head as if ashamed. “You don’t know how sorry.”
“I’ll bet.” He couldn’t stop staring at her. She was Carson Beaumont’s daughter, for Christ’s sakes. He’d given her orders, reprimanded her, worked with her, ate with her, slept with her. Goddammit.
“I am sorry, truly, but I had my reasons. I lied about my name and my background because I wanted to get away from them. I was tired of the way my name or my money always ruined my life.”
Joe snorted. “Yeah, it’s so hard when your daddy’s a billionaire. I suppose you’ve got a nice little trust fund of your own just in case.”
She bit her lip. “Yes, I have a trust fund from my mother’s will.”
“How much?” he couldn’t help asking.
“Fifteen million.”
Sweet Jesus. Fifteen million dollars, and he had bought her sneakers, for crying out loud! Had she secretly laughed at him? Had she enjoyed duping him and everyone else? Maybe she wasn’t sorry about the lies, only about being caught.
Her big blue eyes were fixed on him, filled with what seemed to be trepidation, and despite everything he wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her. Hell, what was wrong with him? Why couldn’t he despise her the way he should?
“Oh, aren’t you the poor little rich girl,” he burst out, tormented by his angry confusion. “Can’t think what to do with your fifteen million? Or maybe you were worried I’d touch you for a loan? Is that why you didn’t tell me?”
Her cheeks flushed with indignation. “I didn’t tell you because I knew it would affect the way you treat me.”
“Damn right it does.”
“And that just proves my point. You’re no better than—than my ex-boyfriend! He was only with me because I’m rich, and now you’re letting my money affect the way you think of me.”
“You’re wrong. It’s not your money or your name I object to, but your lies.” He jabbed a finger at her. “You knew your father was trying to strong-arm me into selling my B&B, and yet you didn’t say a thing.”
She jabbed a finger back at him. “Oh, yes, I’m sure you’d have been so understanding if I’d said, ‘Oh, by the way, that billionaire you’re having trouble with? He’s my dad.’ Yeah, right.”
Resentment flared as he recalled how Nina’s father had harassed and tormented him all these months. “Well, you can tell your billionaire daddy that I would rather be eaten alive by ants than sell to him. He is never getting his hands on my property.”
She sucked in a breath as if he’d hit her, and for a moment he regretted his harsh words, but she quickly recovered and aimed a chilly glare at him. “I thought you were different, Joe, but you’re just like all the other phonies I’ve had to deal with in my life. I’ll give your message to my father. He’s waiting for me outside.”
Her dignity pierced him, but his anger was black and choking. Nina had deceived him and continued the deception after they became lovers and after she knew what her father was doing to him. How could he forgive her for that? And how could he forgive himself for still wanting her? That was the worst part, this humiliating hold she had over him, this desire to embrace her and kiss her until the outside world went away. It was infuriating, degrading, unbearable.
“I thought you were different, too.” The words ground out of his clamped lips. He stared at her a moment longer. Then he turned abruptly and left.
…
Nina waited a few seconds before her shoulders slumped and she had to clutch at the desk to stop herself from collapsing. Now she knew the truth. Joe cared more for his property than he did for her. Everything else was forgotten, not just the amazing sex, but the tender friendship that had sprung up between them. Her help at his B&B, her visiting his nonna with him, the conversations they’d had. None of that was worth remembering.
He only saw that she was a Beaumont, and therefore
someone he despised.
Her body heaved biliously. She shut her eyes to fight the nausea. When she opened them, Vince was standing in the doorway.
Her heart sank even further. Oh, no, she couldn’t withstand another confrontation.
“Vince, I…”
He shook his head. “You don’t have to explain. I know who you are. Joe couldn’t help blurting it out earlier, and your father isn’t exactly inconspicuous. There’s a crowd building out there. I thought you might need some help.”
His unwarranted kindness brought tears back to her eyes. “But why are you…?”
He took her arm gently. “You’re a good person, Nina.”
Tears spilled over and ran down her cheeks. “Joe doesn’t think so,” she choked out.
“Give him time. We’d better go now, or your father will come stomping in again.”
Vince guided her out. The lobby was busy, people coming and going, but everyone paused to stare at her. Vince kept her going, his hand firm on her elbow, and she’d never been so grateful. There was no sign of Sarah. Or Joe. But she didn’t expect to see Joe again.
Outside the Comet Inn, the afternoon sunshine almost blinded her. Someone opened a car door for her, and Vince guided her into the backseat.
“Thank you,” she said weakly to Vince.
He didn’t reply, just squeezed her hand before letting her go. Then the door slammed and the car zoomed off and she was alone with her father.
Thankfully, he was still busy on his cell phone. “Yes, Ellen, we’re on our way home now. Thank God. I can’t wait to get out of Hicksville.”
Nina rolled herself into a ball and squeezed herself into the far corner. She’d stopped crying, but an ocean of tears was gathering inside her, and sometime soon she would have to let them flow. But not yet.
Chapter Fourteen
On Monday morning Nina swept into her father’s office, high on the twenty-first floor of a skyscraper overlooking downtown San Francisco. She didn’t have an appointment, but the personal assistant didn’t try to stop her, probably cowed by the thunderous expression on her face.
Wearing a gray shift dress and black ankle boots, her blonde hair slicked back, Nina was dressed for business, and she detected a flicker of wary surprise in her father’s face as he rose to greet her.
