“I can’t cut him off. He won’t—”
“I don’t care. You either cut him off or Mac Sellers will be sitting on the board of Maretti Oil as soon as I can arrange it.”
Andreas gasped and staggered back.
“Help him,” Nic said to Red Baker who was on his feet moving Andreas back to his chair.
“My pills.” Andreas wheezed.
Angie found a medicine bottle in the top drawer of his desk and handed him one of the pills.
“Is he okay?” Lizzie whispered.
“Yes, he has these attacks when he doesn’t get his way. Let’s go.”
They stopped when Angie interrupted them. “What did you mean about him not being your real father?”
“It’s a long story,” Nic said.
“You’re not my brother?” Angie’s voice broke.
Lizzie felt the shudder of emotion ripple through him. Before she could stop herself, she let go of him and took a couple of steps closer to the other girl. She’d never seen someone in so much pain before and as much as she didn’t like Angie, it still hurt to see her suffer. “Angie,” she said carefully, afraid to get too close. “Blood doesn’t always make family.”
Angie gasped. “You’re helping me? Why?”
Lizzie’s smile was tentative. “Because I love Rogan. Not the way you think I do, ’cause that’s just gross. You should come with us now.”
“He agreed to the divorce.” Angie choked on tears so genuine any doubts Lizzie ever had about the girl loving Rogan dissolved.
“Oh, please.” Lizzie shook her head. “He’s playing you. He agreed so you’d go back to New Orleans. He’ll have you right where he wants you. You know him. Do you really think he’s going to let you divorce him?”
Angie relaxed, new tears starting for a different reason. “No.”
“He’s waiting downstairs,” Nic said. “I had Tag keep him occupied until we got finished.”
“He’s not very cooperative.” Lizzie smirked.
Angie beat them to the elevator despite her father’s protests and threats. She kept her finger on the door-open button until Lizzie and Nic stepped into the elevator with her.
“I’ve been horrible to you,” Angie said as the doors shut. “I lied to you about Xia and I sent those roses…I don’t know who I am anymore.”
“Yeah, jealous rage will do that to you,” Lizzie teased her.
Angie laughed and cried at the same time. “Where do I start with an apology?”
“Can we start over? I’ll tell you all of Rogan’s embarrassing stories if you’ll tell me Nic’s.”
“Uh, no.” Nic interrupted their reconciliation before they got carried away. “There’ll be none of that.”
“Oh.” Lizzie beamed. “Nic must have some good ones.”
Rogan froze when they rounded the corner in the parking garage. He’d been talking to Tag and stopped midsentence. Angie froze and they stared at each other.
“This could take a while,” Lizzie whispered to Nic.
Angie was in Rogan’s arms before Lizzie finished her prediction.
“Or not.” She flinched, slightly nauseated at the way they were kissing each other. “Ew.”
Nic smirked as she turned away, shivering in revulsion. “It never occurred to you to tell Angie I wasn’t her biological brother, did it? Even when she lied to you about Xia. You could have hurt her but you didn’t.”
Lizzie shrugged. “You’re still her brother and they’re going to get arrested.” Lizzie dropped her forehead onto Nic’s chest before she had to bleach her eyes. She was glad they were happy to see each other but if they continued, she and Nic would be seeing way more of their reunion than either wanted. He must have signaled Tag because a few minutes later Tag was hustling the kissing pair into the back of an SUV.
His fingers sifted through her hair as the SUV screeched out of the parking garage. “I can’t believe you did that.”
“Did what?”
“Upstairs. I’ve never seen him so angry.”
“Am I in trouble?” she asked, only half kidding because she couldn’t read his expression.
“He does wear guy-liner.”
Startled, she met his eyes. “What?”
“I never noticed it before. He’s not much of a big bad, is he? He was when I was a kid. I left Texas when I turned eighteen. He gave me a black eye the day before.”
“Oh, Nic,” she whispered, reaching for him. He caught her hand, rubbing her fingers.
“I went to Italy, thinking I was going home but it wasn’t home. Nothing was familiar. Everything felt empty. Then my uncle told me why Andreas resented me so much and all that emptiness filled with guilt and anger. I left Italy, then realized I didn’t have anywhere to go.”
She could see how difficult it was for him to talk about these things. So she listened, winding her arms around his middle. “What did you do?”
He shrugged, wrapping his arms around her. “I was eighteen, had unlimited funds, so I got a map and a dart and went wherever the dart hit. Europe at first, then Africa, spent a lot of time in New Zealand. It’s so beautiful. We should go. I ended up in Hong Kong, but I’ve been pretty much everywhere.”
“You haven’t stopped moving have you?” She pressed her cheek against his chest.
“Not until now.” The response was low and gruff. “I’ve never had a reason to stay in one place for long. I think I’ve been running from him all this time. Then you come in and take one look at the monster from my childhood, roll your eyes and announce you’re bored and I…I think you slayed my dragon.”
She swallowed hard, turned her forehead into his chest and whispered. “He wasn’t much of a dragon. More of a lizard.”
Nic laughed. “For years, I’ve felt so guilty for what my mother’s family did to him. I’ve put up with his passive aggressive bullshit for years but today you made me see him for what he is. A sad aging bully. I almost feel sorry for him. He did get a raw deal from the De Santis family.”
“It was his own fault, Nic. He got greedy.”
“I don’t owe him anything, do I?”
“No.” Her hands moved to smooth the worry off his beautiful face. “He owes you.”
Her cell phone dinged with a familiar but unwelcome tone. Her shoulders sagged as she swiped the screen open. “Busted,” she whispered, cringing as she read the text message.
Your mother and I expect you for dinner at 7:30. Bring Nic. Not a request.
“What is it?” Nic opened her car door and waited for her to climb in.
“We’ve been summoned.”
“We?”
“Yes, my parents. Can you get us to New Orleans by 7:30 p.m.? I don’t want to explain why I’m in Houston.”
“Do you have to explain it to them? You’re an adult.”
“Yeah,” she scoffed. “Try telling them.”
Nic smiled, not looking nearly as concerned as he should. “I think I can get us there in time. Don’t look so worried.” He leaned in and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Your dad likes me. I don’t know why you think he doesn’t.”
“Something about dismemberment,” she grumbled.
Then he was kissing her again. Long and lingering it sizzled straight through her. He raised his face a fraction from hers. “Whatever happens, we’ll deal with it. I’m not letting you go, Lizzie. I meant what I said.”
She smiled. “I forgot something,” she whispered, holding him to her when he started to move.
“What?” Now he looked concerned.
“I love you too.”
His eyes closed and his forehead touched hers. “You’ve messed up now. I’m never letting you go. I don’t care if we’re uncountable or irrational. We’re a set, Lizzie. I love you. Don’t ever doubt it.”
“I did the math,” she whispered.
“Did you solve us?”
She shook her head. “No, but I’d like to spend the rest of my life trying.”
He kissed her and her cell phone din
ged again. “Right.” He half laughed and stepped away from her. “Dinner.”
“I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “Wear something boring. I like all my limbs where they are.”
He shut her door and Lizzie watched him walk around the front of the SUV. Her chest squeezed and she didn’t think she’d ever take another breath. He loved her. Nic Maretti was in love with her.
Tears blinded her as the belief settled deep in her chest. He caught her hand when he slid behind the wheel and brought her fingers to his lips but instead of kissing her, he bit her fingertips lightly.
“Ow.” She tried to pull her hand back but he kept it against his mouth.
“See. You’re not dreaming, Lizzie.”
“I know.” Her voice was barely audible. “This is the good part.”
“Your dress is not boring.” Nic’s eyes devoured her when she joined him in the suite’s living room later that evening.
She glanced down at the simple floral crepe dress. The high boat neck covered everything and the full circle skirt went past her knees. There was nothing remotely sexy about the dress, except for the trashy underwear she wore underneath it but Nic hadn’t seen it yet.
“It’s not boring,” she informed him. “It’s demure.”
“It’s criminal.” He snorted, his arm stretching along the back of the sofa he was lounging on. He stood then and she took a step back.
“You’re one to talk,” she accused. He was lethal in the charcoal suit and power tie he wore. She knew her father wouldn’t be wearing a tie, but he would like that Nic was.
“Here, I have something for you.”
He turned her away from him and Lizzie looked up at the mirror over the fireplace so she could see what he was doing. Her breath caught in her throat, but not because of the white gold chain he was fastening around her neck, or the sparkling emerald pendant dangling from the end.
All Lizzie could see was the two of them together. The muted colors of her crepe dress blended with the gunmetal gray suit he wore. Her heels and intricate updo had her brushing just under his chin. He was tall and dark behind her, his face fierce with concentration as he adjusted the drop in place. He looked up and met her eyes. “Perfect.”
And they were. They looked great together. She did not look a bit out of place. Heat prickled at the back of her eyes as she realized she was not out of her league with Nic at all. They had their own league. She definitely belonged right next to him and she knew in her heart there was no place he’d rather be.
He slid his arms through hers and rested his chin on her shoulder. “What’s that look for? Don’t you like your necklace?”
She glanced down at the gorgeous stone. “Yes, of course, I’m sorry. It’s lovely. Thank you.”
“It almost matches your eyes. The next one will.”
“You don’t have to buy me jewelry.”
He grinned, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. “That’s why I like doing it.”
She turned and wound her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she said again. “Are you sure you’re ready for dinner with the parents?”
“As long as we’re together, Lizzie, I’m ready for anything.”
Epilogue
Nic managed to slip into the lecture hall unnoticed. He’d tried to do it before but Lizzie had seen him walk in. She’d stopped midsentence and ended the class early. This time she had no idea he was even in town. He’d come back two days early so he could surprise her by flying her to Hawaii in time to see Stefan run the Ironman.
Since they would be in Hawaii, Nic had another surprise for her but he wasn’t sure if he could wait until they landed.
He sat down in the back row and watched her in action. He’d thought he’d been prepared for this. He thought he could handle it but he almost didn’t recognize the woman standing at the base of the lecture hall, scribbling on her tablet without looking up at the number and equations that appeared on the overhead.
Nic had never considered himself a slouch, but the things Lizzie talked about on rare occasions made no sense to him at all. Now the words flying out of her sounded like Greek. Most of the class was having a hard time keeping up but they were as riveted as he was.
She was graphing something called imaginary time. Nic became fascinated by strange things called Wick rotations, Minkowski space vs Euclidean, special relativity, and all sorts of thing she couldn’t keep up with without his head exploding.
He’d thought he’d understood how smart she was.
He hadn’t had the first clue. They were light years apart. They didn’t even function in the same reality. Lizzie was special, brilliant in a way that redefined brilliance. Gifted.
Amazing.
She was his.
Lizzie was the center of his universe. He wanted to spend the rest of his life orbiting all that dazzling fire and light.
She turned to ask for questions, then spotted him.
Lizzie turned, caught her breath and found Nic Maretti right in her line of sight. That slow sexy smile was impossible to look away from. He was always so sure of himself and once again, he owned the room.
Now warm brown eyes stared back at her, completely engaged in her world. All those beautiful hollows and angles now had an easy going side to them. He was relaxed and happy and he was hers.
“Class dismissed,” she said without looking away from him. Her eyes never left his as the students filed out of the room. She folded her arms across her chest and waited until the last student was gone. “If only I had a ruler.” She sighed.
Even from the distance she could see him tense up. His bottom lip dropped and she knew his heart rate had increased. He wanted her. In the worst way. But knowing him like she did now, it wasn’t enough. She wanted him more.
She pushed the wire-rimmed glasses up her nose. “I hope you got your homework finished.”
“I may need some help with it.”
“Oh, really?”
He stretched one long arm across the back of the desk next to him then opened his hand.
Lizzie faltered and for a moment she thought she saw a small black box in his upturned palm.
“It’s a test,” he said simply.
“Nic…”
“It’s yes or no, not a discussion question.”
“But…”
He tossed the box in the air and caught it as he stood up.
“No.” She took a quick step back, panic slicking through her.
“No?” His head snapped back. A heartbeat later he was coming down the stairs as quickly as she was backing up. “No?”
She shook her head. “You can’t do that here. It’s all wrong. There’s supposed to be candles and violins and…”
He opened the box and a pair of gorgeous diamond earrings winked up at her. Lizzie’s heart stopped and fire roasted across her face as she realized her mistake. Nic snapped the box shut.
“Oops, wrong box.” He grinned.
“Not funny.” She pushed against his chest. He didn’t move, just grinned at her. This sense of humor was a new thing for him. So far it was a complete fail for Lizzie.
“It was a little funny.” He dropped the box back in his pocket and pulled out a long slim box that obviously held a bracelet. “Try this one.”
“Stop it with the jewelry already.”
“Okay, then close your eyes.”
“What?” She looked up in confusion.
“You really have a problem with following directions, don’t you?”
“You didn’t think so a few nights ago.” She smiled sweetly at him.
“Close your eyes,” he grumbled.
“Fine.” She huffed and shut her eyes.
“We’re on the fly bridge.” His voice was raspy and he had to clear his throat to continue. “Drinking some ridiculously sweet champagne and I’m feeding you strawberries.”
“Mmmm.” She smiled at the images unfolding in her mind and snuggled against his chest. “Chocolate covered strawberries?”
>
“Yes, with the tuxedos,” he added impatiently.
“What am I wearing?” She tilted her head back but didn’t open her eyes.
His frustrated sigh made her smile. “Nothing. You’re naked.”
Her eyes flew open. “That’s not true. I would be wearing something fabulous and my crystal Jimmy Choos.”
“You were wearing a fabulous dress but I ripped it off you a few minutes ago. You still have on the shoes. Now can I finish?”
Lizzie nodded, she would ask for details on the dress later. “Yes, please.”
She closed her eyes without having to be told. She bit her lip to keep from laughing when he muttered something in Italian she had no need to translate.
“Then what?”
He took her hand and it was hard to keep her eyes closed because she wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss him.
“I give you my grandmother’s ring. The diamond has been in my family over two hundred years.”
“I’m not going to wear it.”
“Yes, you are. I slide it onto your finger and say, ‘Elizabeth Hope Sellers, will you marry me?’”
She opened her mouth but he cut her off. “And you say yes.”
She pouted and her shoulders slumped but she kept her eyes closed.
He definitely didn’t sound irritated when he said, “I promise to love you for the rest of my life.”
She had to squeeze her eyes tight to keep the tears from escaping. They did anyway.
“Is that what you want?”
She nodded. “Eventually.”
She opened her eyes long enough to kiss him, then her eyelids were fluttering shut. The kiss was lazy and sweet and she never wanted it to end. When he raised his head, she smiled at him. “You’re not giving me a two hundred year old ring. I’ll be terrified I’d lose it.”
“This is not up for discussion.”
“I won’t wear it.”
“You will,” he promised her. “It’s expected. You’re marrying the De Santis heir, remember?”
She huffed and folded her arms across her chest, and fought off a smile. “You can’t have everything.”
Solving for Nic (Self Made Men...Southern Style Book 2) Page 22
