The Unmasked CEO (Captured by Love Book 7)

by Miranda P. Charles

  Jarryd chuckled.

  Geri narrowed her eyes. Was Marilyn pregnant?

  Tristan’s voice boomed out of the speakers and a hush descended in the room, with each person turning towards the middle of the dance floor, where Tristan stood.

  Tristan thanked everyone for coming and expressed his privilege and honour at having his guests attend the pre-opening party of his new venue. “But before we get this party into full swing,” he said, “I have another announcement to make so that all of us can join in the extra celebrations. I’ll need some assistance with this, so I’ll pick one of you to be my able sidekick.”

  Tristan cast his gaze amongst the crowd. “Simon, come over here and help me.”

  “Oh, me?” Simon said. “Okay.”

  Geri clapped with the others as she watched Simon join Tristan, wondering what their friend had up his sleeve.

  “Now,” Tristan said, putting an arm around Simon’s shoulders. “Most of you here know that my dear old friend Simon Alexander was previously known as the Mile-High Playboy.”

  Some people hooted and whistled.

  Geri smiled, not at all annoyed by Tristan’s comment. It was true, after all.

  “Why don’t you tell us why you’ve abandoned that title?” Tristan said to Simon.

  Simon took the mic. “Well, about a year ago, I met a nice girl who didn’t know me from Adam. I don’t know what she did or what kind of spell she cast on me, but I fell for her straight away. Oh, wait, wait. I remember how she reeled me in now. You see, one night, I found her swimming in an indoor pool.”

  Geri gasped, blushing. If Simon told everyone he’d caught her skinny-dipping, she’d make him sleep with James on the floor outside their bedroom—without a doggie bed.

  “And,” Simon continued, looking straight at her, “I thought she was the most beautiful, irresistible woman in the world.”

  “Awww,” said the crowd, and Geri breathed a sigh of relief, sending Simon a warm smile. She didn’t like being the centre of attention, but her boyfriend had just said something so sweet.

  Tristan leaned towards the mic. “Has everybody met this most beautiful, irresistible woman in the world? Geri, come over here and join us.”

  Geri bit her lip. Did she have to? Ugh, why did those two have to drag her into the spotlight?

  “Go on,” Marilyn said, taking her by the arm and leading her to the middle of the dance floor.

  Everyone clapped, cheering her on.

  Geri sighed. Oh, well. But she gave Simon and Tristan a warning look before turning to the crowd with a smile on her face.

  “So can everyone see why I’m a changed man?” Simon asked jovially.

  “Yeah!” came the replies.

  “And I want everyone to know how much she means to me,” he continued, his voice much quieter. He handed the mic to Tristan and went down on one knee.

  Geri gasped, her eyes instantly watering.

  Simon held her left hand. “Geri, you’re the first woman to capture my heart, and you’ll be the last. You’re the love of my life and I can’t imagine a future without you. I love you much more than I can ever say. So, Geraldine Blaine, will you marry me?”

  “Yes,” Geri said without any hesitation, tears streaming down her face.

  Simon grinned happily and put a ring on her finger.

  Despite her vision being blurred by her tears, her breath hitched at how beautiful and perfect her ring was.

  Simon stood up and they kissed and, for once, Geri didn’t mind being the centre of attention anymore.

  “Tristan has a surprise for us,” Simon said as the applause rang all around them.

  “Really?” she asked, glancing at Tristan.

  “Well,” Tristan said, “this being a nightclub and all, kids and pets aren’t allowed. But head over to one of the private rooms. People are waiting there for you.”

  “Oh, thank you,” Geri said excitedly, knowing that Tricia and Maddie would be there. And since Tristan had mentioned pets, James had to be waiting too.

  “Excuse us, everyone. We’ll be back soon,” Simon said to the crowd.

  “Getting a room already, are you?” yelled someone, to people’s delighted laughter.

  Geri chuckled, playing along by letting Simon kiss her passionately on the lips before they walked towards the private rooms.

  “Auntie Geri,” Maddie said, running out from one of the doors, carrying James.

  “Hi, sweetie!” She embraced her niece and petted her dog.

  “This is so exciting. I haven’t been to a nightclub before,” Maddie said.

  “And it’ll be another eight years before you can go back in one,” she said sternly.

  Maddie pulled a face.

  “Is your mum in there?”

  “Yes.”

  Geri took Simon’s hand as they entered the private room and, for the second time tonight, tears instantly formed in her eyes.

  Tricia was there, grinning at them. But so was Ingrid Lawrence. And Rolf.

  “Oh my gosh, you guys are here,” she cried, going to Ingrid to give the woman a hug.

  “Simon flew us here, and your friend Tristan allowed the dogs in,” Ingrid said tearfully. “Congratulations to you both. I’m so happy.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Lawrence.”

  “Oh, please, call me Ingrid. We’re friends now, aren’t we?”

  “Yes, we certainly are.”

  Rolf barked.

  “I think he’s saying it’s his turn,” Ingrid said with a laugh.

  Geri looked down at Rolf, who was wagging his tail furiously.

  “Hello, darling,” she said, picking him up. “I missed you so much.”

  “And me,” Simon said, patting Rolf.

  “I want to have dinner with them in here, Simon,” she said imploringly.

  “Of course.”

  And they both did, with some of their friends popping in to say hello. When the dessert plates were cleared, Tricia announced that they were leaving.

  “You should be out there at the party, Geri. And it’s past Maddie’s bedtime.”

  “Mum, next time you should let me have a sleepover at my friend’s,” Maddie said. “So you can go for a night out or a date.”

  Tricia rolled her eyes. “We’ll see.”

  “I better get going too,” Ingrid said. “These late nights don’t agree with me anymore. But I’m looking forward to my dinner with you on Monday night before I head home.”

  “Is your driver out there?”

  “Yes, he should be.”

  “Good. We’re looking forward to Monday night too, Ingrid,” Geri said.

  She walked them to their cars and said her goodbyes. When she turned to go back to the nightclub, she was surprised to see Pretty Brunette standing there, smiling at her.

  “Hi,” she said.

  “Hi,” the woman replied. “I know you don’t know me, but I was wondering if you can do me a favour?”

  “Uh, depends on what it is, of course,” she said in a friendly tone.

  “I need to talk to Tristan Grant. Would you mind telling him that I’m here? I’ve asked the security people, but since I’m not on the guest list, they don’t want to help me. They said I should try talking to Tristan some other time, but I really need to talk to him now. I’m due to fly back to Canberra tomorrow, and tonight’s my only chance to see him in person.”

  Geri frowned. “Have you tried calling his mobile?”

  “I don’t have his number. Please just tell him I need to talk to him? My name is Paige Shipton.”

  Geri took a deep breath, undecided. What if Tristan was already avoiding this woman? But something about Paige’s quiet desperation made Geri want to help her.

  “There you are,” Simon said from the doorway, walking to her.

  “Simon, would you mind telling Tristan that there’s a Paige Shipton waiting out here for him?”

  Simon’s brows furrowed, glancing at Paige.

  “Please, honey?” she asked, kno
wing that Simon would want to protect his friend from unwanted attention.

  “Okay,” Simon said, walking back inside.

  “He’s crazy about you,” Paige said with a smile.

  She chuckled. “The feeling’s mutual. Anyway, how do you know Tristan?”

  “I met him recently in one of his nightclubs in Brisbane.”

  “I see.”

  Both of them didn’t seem to know what else to talk about, so there was an uneasy silence while they waited for Tristan.

  Simon came back out. “Tristan’s busy, Paige,” he said in a cold tone. “And he said he doesn’t appreciate you coming here tonight.”

  Paige inhaled sharply. “Look, I’m not here because of his business conflict with my parents. I really need to speak with him tonight, please. Could you tell him that… I’m pregnant and he’s the father?”

  “What?” Simon asked in shock.

  Geri stared at Paige, stunned.

  “I didn’t want to have to tell anyone else but him,” Paige said ruefully.

  “Right,” Simon said, running a hand through his hair. “I’ll be back.”

  They watched as Simon returned inside.

  Geri didn’t know what to say, so she just stood there, keeping Paige company while they waited for the men.

  “I was hoping that I’d never have to tell him,” Paige murmured. “But now I have no choice.”

  Geri opened her mouth to ask why when Simon returned with Tristan.

  “This has to be a joke to get me to talk to you, right?” Tristan said, scowling at Paige. “Tell your dad I want the lawyers to handle our issue because he’s nothing but unreasonable every time I speak with him.”

  “My parents don’t know I’m here,” Paige said quietly. “And I’m not lying about being pregnant with your child, Tristan. The condom broke, remember?”

  Tristan blanched.

  “We’ll leave you two alone,” Geri murmured.

  “We’re back inside if you need us,” Simon said, giving Tristan’s arm a tap.

  Tristan nodded.

  Geri let out a huge sigh when they stepped back inside the club. “Wow.”

  “I know,” Simon said, his tone equally disbelieving.

  Geri placed her arms around Simon’s waist and rested her head on his shoulder. They’d be there for Tristan. And for Paige too, if need be. But Geri was simply grateful that no matter what happened, no matter what curveball life threw at them, she’d have Simon by her side.

  “I love you,” Simon murmured, her arms tightening around her.

  She smiled and looked up at him. “I was just about to say the same thing.”

  ###

  Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a review on the site from which you got your copy.

  Tristan and Paige’s story is up next. Click here to find out more about The Unexpected Husband.

  Have you read Zach Carmichael and Rebecca Andrews’s journey to happily ever after? You can download a copy of Forever (Time for Love Book 1) by subscribing to my newsletter. Click here to do so, and enjoy Chapter One by turning the page.

  Forever (Time for Love, Book 1) Extract

  Zach Carmichael and Rebecca Andrews

  CHAPTER ONE

  Extremely lucky. How else could Rebecca Andrews describe what she should be feeling for the new work offer she’d recently received? But somehow, she couldn’t muster the same excitement that radiated from her friend and colleague, Sarah Daley.

  “I understand why you’re not ecstatic about this, Bec, but I still think you should grab it with both hands,” Sarah said, her wide eyes magnifying the intensity of her belief.

  Rebecca thanked the server, who placed two mango smoothies on their table, before responding to Sarah. “I know. But the client is Magda Carmichael.”

  “Yes. I know that’s a big deal for you. But you love Magda, don’t you? She’s asked for us. She doesn’t want anyone else to go with her.”

  Sarah, one of Rebecca’s four best friends whom she’d known since primary school, had been ready to pack her bags from the moment they got the call from their nursing agency. They had both been personally selected by Magda Carmichael—a very wealthy and absolutely sweet lady—to be her private nurses during her month-long holiday aboard one of the most luxurious cruise ships in the world.

  “You have to go with me, Bec,” Sarah pleaded. “We’ve both never been on a cruise before, and we’ll get to visit some exotic Asian cities. It’ll be fun!”

  “Fun?” Rebecca said with a laugh. “We’re not being hired to have fun. We’re being hired to work, remember?”

  “I know. But we won’t be working twenty-four/seven. That’s why they want the two of us there, so we could work on shifts looking after Magda. We’ll still have some private time to enjoy what promises to be an incredible trip.”

  “I do wonder why she needs two nurses with her?” Rebecca mused. “She’d fully recovered from her hip replacement surgery, and according to the agency, she’s not currently suffering from any illness or injury.”

  “She’s almost eighty, Bec. Magda and her family probably prefer to have two professionals with her on the cruise in case something happens. Besides, she could very well afford to pay for our salary and our trip.”

  Yes, the Carmichaels could certainly afford those and much more. Magda Carmichael’s late husband was a self-made multi-millionaire who’d founded The Carmichael Corporation, one of the biggest property development companies in Australia. Now Magda’s three grandsons looked after the various interests of the company, which extended to wineries and eco-tourism.

  “I wonder who else would be accompanying her apart from nursing staff?” Rebecca asked. “I’m sure she wouldn’t be going on a holiday like that by herself.”

  “You mean you want to know if Zach will be going,” Sarah said softly. “You said you’re over him.”

  “I am. But that doesn’t mean I want to bump into him again,” she responded, ignoring the pinching in her chest that still happened every time she thought of Zachary Carmichael, Magda’s oldest grandson.

  “It’s none of our business and it would be rude to ask. Besides, I can’t imagine Zach accompanying his grandmother on a cruise for a month even if he’s very fond of her.” Sarah leaned across the table with a serious look. “Bec, you know it’s time you let go of whatever feelings you still feel for Zach—even the bitterness and regret. And do you really want to say no to Magda?”

  Rebecca sighed. Magda Carmichael was the nicest, kindest, most generous client she’d ever worked with. When she and Sarah were hired as Magda’s physical rehabilitation nurses while Magda recovered from her hip replacement surgery after an accidental slip in her bathroom, Magda had treated them like family, not paid personnel. She’d often wondered if the fact that Magda didn’t have granddaughters was the reason she’d grown attached to her and Sarah. At twenty-eight, both she and Sarah were close to the ages of Magda’s three grandsons. Zach was the oldest at thirty-two. His younger brothers Jeffrey and Gregory were thirty and twenty-nine.

  “You know I can’t say no to Magda,” she admitted.

  “Yay! You have to tell the agency you’re accepting the job, then you have to advise Magda’s personal assistant that you’re going so she can arrange your travel documents,” Sarah said excitedly. “I’ve already emailed her my details that she’s asked for.”

  “Okay. I’ll email her when I get home.”

  “Make sure you do it as soon as you walk through your door. The ship leaves in ten days. I’m sure she’d need time to organise everything.”

  “Don’t worry, I will,” she said with a laugh.

  “Hey, girls!”

  Rebecca and Sarah greeted their three other best friends Brenna Ward, Amanda Payne and Gemma Aldwin with a kiss on their cheeks.

  “You look super excited, Sarah. What’s up?” Brenna asked.

  Sarah gleefully told the newcomers their news.

  “Oh my God!” G
emma exclaimed. “I really, really should go back into private nursing. What the hell was I thinking giving it up?”

  “You know teaching piano is your main love,” Rebecca quipped. “Anyway, if I change my mind about taking it on, you’re welcome to take my place.”

  “Why would you change your mind?” Amanda asked.

  “Did I tell you the client is Magda Carmichael?” Sarah interjected.

  “Ohh,” the other ladies said in unison, their mouths forming a perfect ‘O’.

  “I see why you’re not that keen on this, Bec,” Gemma said softly.

  Rebecca put on a nonchalant expression. “Well, I very much doubt Zach will be on the cruise. But even if I see him again, so what? It’s been seven months since we broke up. Besides, it didn’t take him long to replace me with Miss Universe-Australia.”

  Her eyes stung. Damn it. She should be over the whole thing by now. Why was she so slow in moving on?

  “Hey,” Brenna said softly, running a comforting hand on her arm. “He’s not worth one salty tear, remember?”

  She nodded, trying to regain composure. It was hard to stay unaffected when talking about Zach—the only man she’d ever loved. They’d had an incredible four-month relationship that had started not long after she and Sarah were hired to help Magda recover from her surgery.

  It was a passionate affair that they’d kept under wraps. The Carmichaels were a favourite subject for gossip magazines and paparazzi, and privacy had become something the family guarded with jealousy. Plus, while there were no written rules about dating relatives of clients, Rebecca’s nursing agency would have frowned if they found out she was dating a Carmichael. She loved her job and didn’t want to jeopardise it.

  Unwanted memories of the moment when she’d told Zach she loved him filled her mind. Yes, it was more than silly of her to expect an ‘I love you’ back from him, but when he hadn’t said it, she’d been so shattered.

  She did try to contain her disappointment from his lack of response, understanding that saying ‘I love you’ wasn’t something someone like Zach would say willy-nilly. But she’d gotten scared. According to some of the articles about him, he had a habit of changing girlfriends every six months or so. Somehow, she’d managed to convince herself that Zach was preparing to dump her.