“Are you suggesting she go back to that monster?” Lecy demanded. “He’s already beaten her once. Is your comfort worth her sacrifice?”
Chrys cried harder. “I didn’t know he’d beaten her.”
“He didn’t beat me,” Scarlett interjected around her sister’s hysterics. “I fell in a stream and twisted my ankle. Carter had nothing to do with that.” Sitting up, she turned her attention to Chrys. “He is not giving Father money for me,” she corrected gently. “He’s only allowing Father an extension on their deal, so we won’t be rich again if I go back to him. Only Father can make that happen.”
“Of course you aren’t returning to that man,” Lecy said firmly. “It’s absolutely ridiculous.” She shook her head. “I won’t allow Father to send you back.”
Scarlett allowed their words to wash over her and lull her into sleep. Her last thought was of Carter, marching in to claim his property. His virgin sacrifice...her eyes blinked momentarily, but she was too tired to let that disturbing thought keep her awake.
She awoke to the sound of arguing and her heavy eyes slowly drifted open. “You can’t send her back, Father,” Lecy screeched.
“So you’re finally awake,” Rocco said grimly, leaning over Scarlett. “I hope you know what a precarious position you’ve placed us all in now.”
“I couldn’t stay there.” Her voice was more scratchy from her nap. “He was cruel to me, Father, and he tried to tell me lies about you.”
A peculiar change happened to Rocco at those words. His face paled, great beads of sweat popped out on his forehead, and his eyes bulged. He staggered back. “What’s he been telling you? None of it’s true.” He sounded half-hysterical. “It was all just business.”
Scarlett frowned. “All he said was...” She shot a look at Lecy and Chrys. “Well, never mind what he said. I knew it wasn’t true.”
“Has he harmed you?” Rocco asked after calming down a bit.
Shaking her head, Scarlett admitted, “He’s not laid a finger on me.” She blushed, remembering who had initiated the kiss. “Carter Braxton is not a nice man,” she said rather lamely.
“I realize that,” Rocco said dryly. “But you must go back. Call him and let him know you’re returning tonight.”
“It’s a three-hour drive, Father,” Lecy said. “The party...can’t she please stay tonight?”
Rocco ran a hand through his hair. “I suppose, if Carter will allow it.”
“I don’t want to go back.” Scarlett firmed her shoulders. “I refuse to go back.”
“Stop being so damn selfish,” Rocco snapped. “You do this for the good of your family, and don’t you forget that.”
“Just like you lost the company for the family?” Scarlett tossed out. “Did you do that for us, or was it for Mom?”
Rocco’s hand made a hard smacking sound as it connected with Scarlett’s cheek. Her head fell back, and the pain was intense.
“Never speak to me like that again. I am your father, and you will treat me with respect.”
Scarlett did not reply for a long moment as she clutched her burning cheek with her left hand. Finally she whispered, “Fine, I’ll go back. At least he has never hit me.”
His mouth tight, Rocco stormed from the room, and her sisters surrounded her. “I can’t believe Father did that.” Chrys wrung her hands. “Are you okay?”
“Hell no she’s not okay.” Lecy rolled her eyes. “Run to the kitchen and get her some ice before it swells.” As Chrys hurried from the room, she turned to Scarlett. “Your mask should cover any bruise that might form. You shouldn’t have said that,” she gently reprimanded.
“Leave me alone,” said Scarlett. “He doesn’t care that he’s sending me back into that beast’s home, and he doesn’t care about us at all. If he did, he would have done a better job with the company.”
Lecy clicked her tongue, not refuting her claims. “Still, he is our Father, and you must be respectful. Remember that Mom never raised her voice to him.”
“Isn’t that nice for her,” Scarlett snapped. “She must have been a saint to put up with him. I wonder if he ever hit Mom for disrespecting him?”
Lecy had no answer to offer, and the subject died when Chrys returned. Scarlett pressed the ice bag to her swelling cheek while the other two fluttered around, preparing for the party. “I think I’ll get an early start,” Scarlett said. “I can be back in San Francisco within a couple hours, so it shouldn’t be too dark.” The idea of attending the party held no appeal.
“No, you must come to the party,” Chrys insisted. “It won’t be the same without you.”
Seeing the pleading in her sister’s dark eyes, Scarlett gave in and went to her room to dress for the party. Instead of taking a shower or pulling the dress from the closet, she lay across the bed and swiped at the trickle of tears leaking from her eyes. She still couldn’t believe her father had hit her. Not once in twenty years could she ever remember him doing such a thing.
Forcing herself from the bed, Scarlett soaked in a tub full of hot water. Afterward, wrapped only in a towel, she called information and got Carter’s phone number. She dialed the house and Ann answered. “He’s not available right now, Ms. Terini. I believe he’s out.”
“Thank you, Ann.” She was relieved to avoid a conversation with him. “Will you please take a message? Tell him I’ll be back sometime tomorrow morning.” After hanging up, Scarlett went to her closet and opened the door, walking inside. The dress, styled after a sixteenth-century courtesan’s, with a daring neckline, sweeping skirt, and yards of lace, hung on a rod by itself. Once dressed, she curled her hair into fat ringlets and slipped on the ivory mask. It had been specially designed to match the handmade dress and Scarlett found herself wondering how much the costumes for his daughters had cost her father. Likely not even a fraction of what the party was costing him.
After slipping her feet into matching ivory slippers, Scarlett returned to Lecy’s room and found her sisters dressed and ready. Their styles and colors were all complimentary, and Scarlett couldn’t help but notice how striking the three of them were. She wore ivory, Lecy was in midnight blue, and Chrys had chosen black.
Presenting a united front, the three of them went downstairs and started greeting guests as they arrived. Everyone was dressed exquisitely, and expensively, in imaginative creations. In past years, Scarlett had always looked forward to the party and treasured the memories all year, but tonight she was bored. Her face and her ankle throbbed in unison, and she was tired of standing, walking, dancing, and making polite conversation. She just wanted to go to sleep and forget that tomorrow she was returning to Carter Braxton.
There was a stir of excitement among the guests as new people entered the ballroom. Curious despite herself, Scarlett craned her neck to see the new arrivals. Other guests blocked her view, and she politely pushed her way through until the new guests were visible.
He wore a tuxedo, and it fit him well. Since she had only ever seen him a suit, his tuxedo didn’t surprise her in the least. His piercing blue eyes found her and she couldn’t look away. He looked so sexy. Why did she run away?
Oh right, because he’s a liar and was terrible to her.
Scarlett tensed as Carter approached her, with no sign of Darren. “Carter,” she said nervously when he stopped in front of her.
“Scarlett,” he purred. “I’ve come to collect my property,” he whispered. “You or the house, it makes no difference,” he added in a cool tone.
“I was coming back tomorrow.” Scarlett stuttered.
Carter laughed, a rich sound, but there was a sharp edge to it. “I’m sure you were.”
“I left a message with Ann earlier in the evening. You can verify it with her.” Trying to keep a straight face, she said, “I only came for this party, and then I was returning. If I were leaving forever, don’t you think I would have taken my clothes, my possessions?”
Carter smiled down at her. “That’s a lie, but I’ll allow you to tell it.
Next time you want to go somewhere, please ask the driver to take you.” He phrased it like a request, but they both knew better. “I don’t like coming to this cursed place to fetch you.”
“Shall we leave?” Scarlett asked, nervously licking her lips.
“A dance first,” Carter suggested.
“My ankle hurts.”
“I’ll carry us both.”
Having no further protests, Scarlett placed her hand in Carter’s and followed him into the crowd of dancers. He grasped her waist tightly, nearly carrying her as they moved. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears at his touch. She took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind, though the heady scent of his cologne didn’t help clear her thoughts. She would not allow herself to become attracted to the man who was trying to ruin her father and her family.
Aside from the aspect of betrayal implied by her attraction, Scarlett knew it was a no-win situation. Carter would never believe she was truly attracted to him and would assume, as he’d done previously, that it was a plot to soften him up. He would become even more ruthless, and Scarlett would get hurt. I don’t even like him, she reminded herself forcefully and repeatedly until the music ended. “Now we’ll leave,” said Carter.
Scarlett followed meekly behind him, not even asking if she could change first. Before they left the ballroom, Lecy intercepted them. “Don’t hurt my sister,” she said in a low voice, pitched so the other guests would not hear.
“She’ll be perfectly safe.” Carter sounded bored.
Lecy snorted. “You’re a beast, Carter Braxton, and some day you’ll get what you deserve.”
Carter leaned forward, and his height dwarfed Lecy. “I’m counting on it, Ms. Terini,” he bit out. As Lecy’s eyes widened, he took a firm hold on Scarlett’s arm and pulled her out behind him.
In the town car, Scarlett sat on the seat across from Carter and stretched out her legs. “Where’s Darren?” she asked.
“In the front with the driver,” Carter said disinterestedly.
The mask pressed tightly against Scarlett’s face, and she removed it without thought.
The overhead light was on, and Carter gasped. “Who did this to you?”
Scarlett dropped her eyes and didn’t respond. “How did you know about the party?” she asked, trying to change the subject.
“I called your home,” Carter dismissed. “Now, tell me his name. As if I can’t guess,” he added bitterly when she didn’t speak. “Did Terini give you that for returning home? Was it how he persuaded you to return to my place tomorrow?”
“I was disrespectful.” Scarlett nearly choked on the words. “It was as much my fault as his.”
“How many times have you been disrespectful?” he asked in a cold voice. “I never considered the possibility he was violent to his children,” he said almost silently.
“This is the first time he’s ever done anything like this, and it’s your fault. You’ve put him under tremendous stress.”
“And hitting a woman is a great stress reliever?” he asked in a rough voice. “What a wise and wonderful man Rocco Terini is.”
“It’s not your business.” Scarlett replaced the mask.
“You look ridiculous with that thing on,” Carter said with a hard laugh. “I’ve already seen the mark, so you can stop hiding behind your mask.”
“I could say the same thing to you,” Scarlett said harshly, without thought. There was a moment of dead silence, and Scarlett’s stomach cramped with fear at his retaliation.
“What does that mean?”
“I’ve never seen you without a suit on. And you wear it like armor.”
“I have my reasons.”
“Oh? I doubt that,” she countered.
He eventually reacted, but not in the way she had expected. “You want to see why I wear long sleeves and suits all the time?” Without waiting for Scarlett’s response, he pulled up his sleeve.
The skin was puckered, lined with red and white scars, and healed burns. The wounds were old, but still fierce, and mouth dropped open. “How did it happen?” she whispered in a shaky voice.
“Acid.” That was his only answer as he fixed his sleeve and then adjusted his bowtie.
The rest of the ride passed in deep, uncomfortable silence, and Scarlett was grateful to escape to her room when they finally arrived back at his estate. It was exactly as she’d left it, with all her clothes still in the bureau and closet. Her things were undisturbed. After checking the bathroom, she removed the dress and slid into bed, wondering if she would sleep. Her afternoon nap had refreshed her, and her eyes resisted closing. Visions of Carter’s ruined arm continually paraded through her head. Tears dripped down her cheeks, and she didn’t know if they were for herself or for him. How he must have suffered. When she finally dropped off, nightmares of her own arm being plunged in acid plagued her sleep.
8
Scarlett
After a poor night’s sleep, Scarlett slept late and didn’t go downstairs until lunchtime. From looking in the mirror, she knew her face was pale, her purple eyes rimmed in red. Darren was on the phone, and he waved at her with two fingers as he continued his conversation. “Yes, the meeting is scheduled for two weeks from tomorrow, Mr. Nancy.” The unseen Mr. Nancy said something, to which Darren responded, “It will go to the highest bidder, just like everything else, sir. Yes, we look forward to seeing you.” Another response, then, “That’s right, the Ritz-Carlton, Banquet room number 2.” He hung up.
“What was that all about?” Scarlett asked as she took a seat on the couch and crossed her legs.
Darren shifted uncomfortably and dropped his eyes. “Just business,” he mumbled.
“My father’s business?”
“It was,” Darren said as he pulled at the collar of his black t-shirt. “You look tired.”
“Long night,” Scarlett said in a neutral voice.
“How’s your ankle?” Darren asked. “Does it still hurt?”
Scarlett nodded. “Yes, it still throbs, and I left my brace at my father’s house.”
“Are you hungry?” Darren asked, ignoring her running away.
“Um hm,” Scarlett confirmed, standing up to follow him in to the dining room. She wondered if Carter would join them, then wondered if they would argue again. Most of their confrontations had happened in this room. Her face warmed as she recalled the one that had taken place in her bedroom. Why couldn’t she just forget that kiss?
An unfamiliar maid brought lunch. “It’s Ann’s day off,” Darren said when she asked. They were mostly finished with their meal when Carter came in to join them. “I finished with those calls,” said Darren.
Carter nodded. “I’ve finished the financial statements and prepared the reports. Everything is as done as it can be until the meeting.” He sighed as he dropped into his seat at the head of the table. “How would you like a vacation, Darren?”
“You know I don’t like to leave you without protection,” Darren said quickly. “‘Besides, don’t you think now is a dangerous time for me to go away?” He shot a subtle look at Scarlett. “What with business and such?”
“We’re all going,” said Carter. “I’ve spoken with my mother and she’s expecting us in two days.”
Scarlett frowned. “Your mother?”
“Did you think I sprang fully formed from the head of Athena, as she did from Zeus?” Carter asked in a mocking tone, ignoring Darren’s grin.
“No.” Scarlett shook her head, unsure of what she wanted to say.
“Do you like Greece?” Carter asked. “Your father used to own a villa there.”
“I’ve only been to Greece once. That was the year my mother got sick. As far as I know, my father closed the place up after that.”
“I own an island in the Cyclades chain.” He looked at her as he spoke, gauging her reaction. “It’s situated between Mykanos and Naxos. My mitera and two of my siblings live there year-round, and I like to visit two or three times a year. I’ve arranged for us to stay with Mam
a for a couple of weeks.”
Scarlett shrugged. “Okay.”
“No objections?”
“Would it matter if I objected?” Scarlett shrugged. “What’s the difference between here and Greece? At least it’s warm there.”
Darren smiled. “Well, it’s not exactly tropical. This time of year, it’s usually in the seventies.”
“It will be nice to get away,” said Scarlett.
“We’ll stop in New York,” Carter said decisively. “You’ll need new clothes I’m sure, as you didn’t bring much with you, and then fly out the day after. Darren, will you see to booking us into the Regency?”
Scarlett didn’t bother to pack anything more than an overnight bag since they would be shopping in New York. She felt odd accepting clothes from Carter, but had little choice in the matter. If she refused, she could picture Carter simply ordering things for her anyway.
Despite her best efforts to be annoyed with everything he did she was growing excited about their trip to Greece, though she wondered what kind of reception Carter’s family would give her. How would he explain her presence? Would he tell his mother about their insane bargain? Of course he wouldn’t, so what would he tell her? That Scarlett was his girlfriend?
Scarlett rolled her eyes at her silly thoughts and forced her attention back to getting dressed. Carter wouldn’t tell his mother they were involved. Knowing him, he probably wouldn’t give any explanations.
Darren and Carter were waiting for her downstairs, and the driver stood in the doorway. He took her bag, and they followed him out to the car. After stowing her case in the trunk, the chauffeur held open the door for them.
To Scarlett’s surprise, they did not drive into San Francisco to make their flight. The driver stopped the town car at a private airfield a few miles from Carter’s home, and they boarded a personal jet. The interior was plush cream leather, and carpeted in thick white carpeting. A flight attendant was on duty, and he brought them all drinks.
Beauty and the Billionaire Bad*ss Page 5
