Seducing the Enemy's Daughter

by Jules Bennett

  Brady’s head fell back against the seat. He couldn’t pinpoint the exact time he fell in love with Sam. And he was in love with her. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind. He’d never felt this way about another woman. Never wanted to be their protector, their provider, their lifetime partner.

  Lifetime. His heartbeat quickened, from excitement and eagerness—and a slice of fear.

  How could he go on if she chose to never forgive him? He could never love anyone as much as he loved Samantha.

  He’d never backed down from a fight and he didn’t intend to start now. Not when it truly mattered.

  Brady exited his Lincoln and headed up the narrow steps to his suburban home. He wanted a chance at a relationship. He wanted to start off strong and grow from there. He wanted to give her the life she’d never had, a life she deserved, full of love and happiness.

  With plans already forming in his head, Brady unlocked his front door and prepared the speech in his head.

  Fifteen

  Dread, sadness and loneliness enveloped Sam each time she stepped into her childhood home. How had she managed not to go insane all the years she’d lived here?

  The marble floors gleamed, the chandeliers sparkled, sending a vast array of shapes and colors down and, as usual, not a thing was out of place. No shoes by the front door, no keys lying haphazardly on the secretary inside the foyer. No sign of life.

  The house was just as it had been after her mother’s passing.

  Sam rubbed her arms against the chilly aura and ventured on. She should’ve called ahead, but she didn’t want any more harsh words than necessary with her father.

  Stanley Donovan was in the first place Sam looked…the same room he’d lived in all her life. His office.

  She stood in the doorway, staring across the room to the man who was her father, but had always seemed more of a stranger than anything.

  He still used the same old oak desk. His floor-to-ceiling bookcases provided the backdrop, stretching the length of the wall.

  He was no doubt in his element.

  But instead of the robust, domineering man she’d recalled, Stanley looked old. His hair had gone from silver to mostly white and had started retreating from his forehead. His hands, which held on to a file probably containing his latest stock report, were wrinkled.

  He rubbed his head with a weathered hand and Sam couldn’t help but feel pity for him. All his life he’d concentrated on making money, working the next deal, but he’d missed everything that mattered. His family.

  Samantha settled her hand on her stomach and entered the room.

  “Dad.”

  Stanley jerked his head, dropping the file onto the neatly organized desk. “Samantha. What brings you here?”

  She stepped farther into the den. “We need to talk. Actually, I need to talk and I need you to listen.”

  “Sounds important.” He crossed his hands over his small, round belly and leaned back in his chair. “Does this have to do with business?”

  She laughed, taking a seat across from him. “Everything always comes back to business with you, doesn’t it? I guess in a way, what I have to say does center around business.”

  “Miles told me you turned in your resignation.”

  “Yes, but that’s not what I want to discuss.” Sam willed her cowardly nerves away and focused on the mission she came for. “I want to know why you always treated Miles different from me.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. “And I can’t believe you’d even ask such a childish question.”

  “Childish? You know good and well you treat the two of us differently. You always have. Since Mom’s death, you act like I’m a stray off the street that you were burdened with.”

  Stanley sighed. “If I have treated you different from Miles, it’s only because I was trying to do what your mother would’ve wanted.”

  Confused, Sam asked, “What?”

  “Beverly never wanted you to be part of the family business. She didn’t want you to be swallowed up in all of this like I’ve always been. She knew Miles always wanted to be involved, so she didn’t say too much about him. But you…” Stanley shook his head. “You were special. You were like an angel when you came to us. All that blond hair and those wide blue eyes. You were an image of your mother and I couldn’t love you more.”

  The steel wall Sam had built up in defense before arriving here today suddenly crumbled. “But why were you so cruel to me after her death? Why did you always push me further and further away? Even now, you can hardly look at me.”

  He looked down, wiping both eyes with his forefinger and thumb. “It still hurts. Looking at you,” he said softly. “I just see her. I know it’s a poor excuse, but it’s the truth.”

  Unsure of how to respond, Sam did the only thing she could think of. She came to her feet and went to her father. Wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders, she kissed the top of his head.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry you were grieving all that time and I was to blame.”

  He wrapped his hand around her arm. “No, Sam, you weren’t to blame. I was. I tried placing blame everywhere but where it belonged. Had I been more of a husband, more active in my family’s life, perhaps your mother wouldn’t have been in a hurry that day. I know I should’ve been there for you, but I just couldn’t. Looking at your face each day only added to the torment of knowing I’d never see her again. I devoted my life to my work, in the hopes of getting away from the pain.”

  Sam tightened her hold. “I see her face, too, each time I look in the mirror.”

  “I’m sorry if you thought I was pushing you away. The truth is, I’m proud of you. I’m proud of the woman you’ve become and I know your mother would be, as well.”

  Sam’s heart swelled as a warm tear trickled down her cheek. This was the father she’d waited so many years to have. This was the moment she’d longed for, cried for.

  “I’ve said some hurtful things to you,” he went on. “If I could take them back, I would. You’ve accomplished so much in such a short time. Not only are you successful in business, but you take the time to enjoy life. I’m glad you didn’t follow in my footsteps. I’m afraid Miles has, though.”

  Sam stepped back. “He has a stubborn streak, but he’s a good man. You did just fine.”

  Stanley looked up with moist, red eyes. “Maybe, but I need him to know working himself to the bone won’t make him happy. I want him to take time to enjoy life, too.”

  “Then talk to him,” she suggested with a squeeze. “He probably longs for a one-on-one conversation about something other than business just like I did.”

  “I will. Can we have a new beginning?”

  Sam smiled, with tears in her eyes and a hand on her belly. “Yes. I’d like that.”

  She couldn’t tell her father yet. No one knew about the baby. She was ten weeks pregnant now and although some of the employees had noticed her getting sick on occasion, she’d always come up with a lie.

  Sam didn’t stay at her father’s home long, but promised to visit often. The weighty burden of their strained relationship she’d carried in with her no longer existed when she left. At least now she knew. She knew her father had grieved all this time and that he hadn’t hated her, he simply didn’t know how to deal with his emotions.

  As Sam made her way to the airport, she knew her next step should be to contact Brady about the baby. Even though he was a lying, coldhearted bastard, he was still going to be a father and Samantha didn’t have the heart not to tell him.

  After all, she’d essentially lost both parents. How could she deny her own child?

  Brady paced in Samantha’s suite at Lani Kaimana. Luckily he’d been let in by one of the maids who’d seen Brady and Sam together often enough that she knew they’d been seeing each other. Fortunately for him, the maid had no idea Samantha probably hated his guts right now.

  Where the hell was she?

  He was told she’d le
ft yesterday for a personal reason, but was due back at the resort today. He was also told she had resigned and was only going to be manager for a few more days. So now he had to wait and find out what the hell she was doing. And why she was giving up on something she loved so much.

  Tugging off his suit jacket, Brady draped it over the back of the sofa. He unbuttoned his sleeves, rolled them up and unfastened the top button of his shirt.

  Might as well get comfortable, he thought as he seated himself on the couch.

  A folder with the name of a local doctor stamped on the front drew Brady’s attention to the squatty, glass coffee table.

  When he opened the file, something fell into his lap.

  A picture. Not just any picture, he thought as he studied it. A picture of an ultrasound.

  Because he really couldn’t tell what he was looking at, he glanced at the papers in the folder.

  No. This couldn’t be.

  Samantha was ten weeks pregnant? Pregnant?

  Brady did some quick figuring in his head. That meant she knew she was expecting his child when they’d seen each other last.

  Brady dropped the file onto the table and came to his feet, still clutching the picture of his unborn baby.

  Was she going to tell him? Did she plan on keeping up this preposterous job with a chaotic schedule while pregnant? Obviously that’s why she was giving up the resort.

  Did Miles know? Did anybody?

  The idea of Samantha keeping this secret to herself, going through this alone, infuriated him.

  At some point she’d have to shove her pride aside and ask for help. And, dammit, he’d be the one to give it to her.

  The buzz from a key card at the suite door had him jerking around.

  Samantha stepped in and jumped. “Brady! What are you doing here?”

  For a moment, he could do nothing but stare. He didn’t know what he expected. A big belly? No, that didn’t come until later. But she did look beautiful. Her skin had a healthy, tanned tone, indicating she’d probably taken advantage of the sandy beach only steps away.

  She looked sexy in the simple white sundress that stopped just above her knees. Her hair was down, the way he liked it, spilling over her shoulders, giving her an innocent look.

  And wasn’t that what killed him the most? She had been innocent in this whole thing.

  “You look good,” he said, once he got passed the lump in his throat.

  “You have two minutes to say whatever it is you came for. I have to meet my father in San Francisco.” She sat down her overnight bag and purse and crossed her arms. “Go.”

  “Can we have a seat and talk?”

  “No.”

  Brady held up the picture. “Fine. When were you going to tell me about this?”

  He had to give her credit, she didn’t even bat an eye before she responded.

  “The same day I found out the father of my baby was a conniving jerk. Funny, I didn’t get around to it.”

  She moved from the doorway, shoving her bags aside with her foot and letting the door slam behind her. Striding across the room, she didn’t even look at him as she went into her bedroom.

  Brady followed.

  “Were you ever going to tell me?” he asked.

  Samantha reached into her drawers and started pulling clothes out and piling them on the bed. “Yes.”

  “You’re sure?”

  She stopped, a pile of silky bras dangling from her hands. “I’m not a liar. And I wouldn’t deprive my child from knowing its parents.”

  At least that was something.

  “I came back because you need to listen to me,” he told her.

  She rounded on him, hands on her hips. “I don’t have to do anything. What I need to do right now is pack because I’m currently unemployed.”

  “Then come work for me.”

  He wasn’t surprised at her outburst of laughter, but that didn’t negate the fact that her dismissal hurt.

  “You’re kidding, right? I wouldn’t work for you for any amount of money you offered.”

  “Then do it for the baby.” He searched her face, hoping she’d see the love in his eyes. “Don’t shut me out, not now. Not when I’ve fallen in love with you.”

  She stepped back, placed a hand out to the bed and eased down. “Don’t. Don’t throw that word out like you mean it. I won’t be fooled again.”

  Putting everything he had on the line, his pride, his heart, Brady squatted down in front of her and took her hands.

  “Do you think I’d come back if I didn’t care for you?” he asked. “I’m not here for the baby, I didn’t even know until I saw the file. I’m here because I realized you were more important than any resort, any business deal.”

  She tugged her hands free and wiped her damp eyes. “That may be true, but I can’t trust what you say anymore. I won’t be misled or used again.”

  She came to her feet, causing him to take a step back.

  “Now,” she said with her chin high, “I need to be alone. Please don’t call me. I’ll let you know all about the baby’s doctor’s appointments and keep you up-to-date, but other than that, I don’t want any contact with you.”

  Brady fisted his hands at his side and swallowed. He wouldn’t push, not when her condition was so delicate, but he wouldn’t give up. Ever.

  “You’ll see how much I love you,” he promised as he kissed her lightly on the cheek.

  Without another word, and with a heavy heart, Brady left.

  Sixteen

  Without Sam’s bright, sunny smile to fill the building, fill his life, Brady’s days were lifeless.

  Just as they’d been before she’d entered his life.

  Of course, he hadn’t known how boring and empty his life had been, but now that he’d experienced love, well, nothing mattered if he had to live without.

  He’d caused the damage by getting the ball rolling the second he decided to get closer to Sam. And now he had to do some major work to undo what he’d done.

  A week had come and gone since he’d seen her in Kauai. Brady didn’t recall a longer seven days in his life.

  As he shut down his computer and grabbed his suit jacket from the back of his leather chair, his desk line rang.

  “Brady Stone.”

  “Brady, this is Stanley Donovan.” The elderly man cleared his throat. “I’m with Sam at St. Mary’s Hospital. I stopped by her house and she was having some stomach pains. We’re waiting to see the doctor. I don’t know what the personal nature of your relationship is now, but I thought you’d want to know.”

  Before Brady could process what the old man had said, much less ask questions, Stanley had hung up.

  Fear, guilt and just plain terror ripped through him as he made a mad dash down the stairs and out to his SUV. He didn’t bother saying anything to Abby or Cade—there was no time.

  Was the baby okay? Was Sam? She had to be so scared. Brady was grateful Stanley had thought to call.

  God, she couldn’t lose the baby. Brady’s hands tightened on the steering wheel as he cursed the weekend rush-hour traffic.

  Arguments, betrayals, secrets, none of it mattered now. All that mattered was Sam and the baby. They had to be all right. They had to.

  The usual twenty-minute drive to the hospital ended up taking nearly an hour. After handing his keys over to the valet driving attendant, Brady raced inside the main glass doors and up to the information desk.

  “Samantha Donovan,” he said breathlessly. “She was brought in a little over an hour ago. Probably in maternity.”

  The young receptionist glanced to her computer, typed in the name and drew her brows together. “She’s in triage—third floor.”

  Brady took the elevator and prayed everything would be fine. Damn, he couldn’t lose his future.

  “Brady.”

  As he stepped off the elevator, he turned to the sound of his name. Brady nearly wept with relief when he saw Stanley strutting toward him.

  “Where is she?�
� he demanded.

  Stanley nodded with his head. “Follow me.”

  Allowing Sam’s father to lead the way, Brady sent up another prayer that everything was all right. But he braced himself for the worst.

  “How is she?” Brady asked as they walked back through the sterile hall.

  “She’s says she’s fine.”

  “What are the doctors saying?”

  Stanley stopped in front of the sliding-glass door. “She spoke with them alone and she won’t tell me what’s wrong. She did reassure me that she was indeed fine and she got teary when I told her you were on your way.”

  Brady didn’t know what to make of that other than the fact Stanley obviously didn’t know about the baby. But he did know being in a hospital was not helping his nerves any.

  The antiseptic scent made him want to gag, to run away and avoid the hurt of losing someone else he loved with every fiber of his being. He hadn’t been here since his father’s illness.

  Thankfully before he got even more carried away with his thoughts, he slid the door open, stepped into her room and shoved the pale blue curtain aside.

  Brady’s heart nearly stopped when she turned to look at him. Her eyes were red, puffy, her color was off. The oversize hospital gown swallowed up her petite frame.

  She was still the most beautiful sight he’d ever laid eyes on.

  And wasn’t this ironic? The very man he’d set out to destroy was now the crutch he may very well have to lean on during this time.

  Brady moved to one side of the bed and took her hand. “Sam, are you all right?”

  Her misty eyes darted over his shoulder. “Dad, would you give us a minute?”

  “I’ll give you five,” Stanley said. “But after that, I want to know what is going on.”

  A smile played at the corners of her mouth. “I promise.”

  The sliding door opened, then closed, once again silencing the chaos on the other side.