Chrys gnawed on her lip as she watched her sister. “Is it awful?” she burst out. “Does he hold you prisoner? Does he hurt you?”
Laughing Scarlett shook her head, “We’ll talk in a minute,” she promised, going into the bathroom to dress in jeans and a warm sweater. She missed the balmy temperatures of Greece already. When she emerged from the bathroom, Chrys was stretched out on her bed, weeping. “What’s wrong?” she asked gently, sitting beside her sister.
“I can’t believe Father has done this to you. He has sold you to Carter Braxton.”
“It’s not like that,” said Scarlett. “I love Carter, and he loves me.”
“How can you love that monster?” Chrys demanded heatedly. “He’s taking our home, and Father’s business, leaving us destitute.”
“I can’t tell you why, but Carter has good reason to hate our father,” Scarlett whispered.
“Why can’t you tell me?” Chrys asked, her expression hurt. She might be older than Scarlett, but she looked up to her, depended on her. She obviously felt betrayed that Scarlett would keep secrets from her.
“I can’t because I’m not even supposed to know myself,” said Scarlett. “His sister told me in confidence. Even Carter doesn’t know that I know about Father’s...never mind.”
“You truly love him?” Chrys asked, disbelieving. How could anyone, especially her beautiful sister, love that hideously scarred monster?
“Yes.” Scarlett sighed. “He’s...well, I could spend hours telling you about him, but that’s not why you’re here.”
“No.” Chrys shuddered as she imagined Carter’s scarred hands on her sister. The thought was too horrifying to entertain for long.
“Why are you here?” asked Scarlett, her tone suddenly serious. “Have you heard about the meeting?”
“What meeting?” Chrys asked, biting her bottom lip.
“Today is the day Carter is auctioning off the pieces of Terini Electronics,” said Scarlett. For a moment, she’d thought Chrys might have information about some scheme their father was going to attempt, but if she did, she wouldn’t come to warn Carter.
“Father is making me marry,” Chrys cried, her tears renewing.
“What?” Scarlett demanded. “He can’t make you get married, Chrys.”
She nodded, hiccupping, “Yes, he can. He told me that he would disown me if I don’t marry Ralf Lemmings.”
“Ralf?” Scarlett asked, her mouth twisting in disgust. Lemmings Superconducter Technology was a supplier for Terini Electronics, and she’d had the misfortune of meeting Ralf on several occasions. He was an odious little man, less than five-six, and close to three hundred pounds. He oiled his hair and beard, thinking it made him appear suave, but it only made him look greasy. He favored heavy French cologne that smelled like sweaty socks, and he fancied himself a charmer. He was also close to fifty and had been through four young wives in ten years. He also had the nasty habit of trying to paw the Terini girls in the shadows when no one was around. “You can’t marry him. That’s ridiculous.”
“I don’t want to. I hate him, and when he touches me, I want to throw up.” Her gaze dropped away from Scarlett’s and she whispered, “He tried to...last night. I couldn’t stand to have his hands on me, so I ran to my room. Father tried to drag me out, yelling that if I didn’t cooperate we were all ruined. As soon as Father left this morning, I took a car and came to you.”
Scarlett patted her sister’s back, concerned that Chrys would cry until she made herself sick. How could their father do this to Chrys? It was bad enough that he’d loaned her to Carter, who thankfully turned out to be a decent man with morals and convictions. Now he was trying to sell gentle, naïve Chrysanthia to a man who defined disgusting. “How much did Ralf offer?” she asked.
Chrys shrugged as she finally sat up, wiping the runny mascara off her cheeks with the tissue Scarlett handed her. “Father never tells us anything. I heard him say that he would have enough to take buy back the house from Braxton.”
“So, at least two million,” Scarlett mused, knowing there was no way for her to top that offer. Her only hope was Carter, and she couldn’t get very hopeful about that. “You can’t go back to that house.” She wouldn’t allow Chrys to return to Terini Manor when there was even a slight possibility that Father would allow Ralf to lay his hands on her. “You’ll stay here with us, at least until we work something out.”
“Carter won’t mind?” Chrys asked weakly.
“I’ll speak to Carter.” Scarlett ignored the twinge in her stomach at the thought of the coming confrontation. Carter wouldn’t like it at all. “You can have this room.”
“I thought this was your room,” Chrys protested.
“It was, but it isn’t now,” Scarlett said vaguely. “I’ll have my clothes moved so you’ll have some space.” She frowned, realizing that Chrys had no clothes. She would have to ask Carter for some money to get her sister some clothing, unless...”I’m going to call Lecy and see if she’ll bring some clothes up for you.”
“Will Father try to force Lecy to marry Ralf if I don’t go back?” Chrys fretted.
“No,” Scarlett said with absolute certainty. Rocco already knew that Lecy would not be pressured into such a situation, thus he’d chosen to make Chrys his sacrifice. “Lecy will be safe, but she doesn’t have to return to Terini Manor if she doesn’t want to,” she promised rashly.
Lecy answered the phone on the first ring, sounding frantic. “Chrys?”
“No, it’s me,” Scarlett answered. “Chrys is here, with me.”
“How is she?” Lecy asked stridently. “She tore out of here this morning after Father spent half the night screaming at her through her bedroom door.”
“She’s much calmer now. She’s going to stay with us for a while, but she doesn’t have any of her things.”
“I’ll bring her a bag,” Lecy offered.
Scarlett smiled, pleased to see her sister’s iron-bitch facade crack a little. It was good to know that Lecy was as human as the rest of the population. “That would be very kind of you.” Taking a deep breath, she plunged in, “Do you feel safe there?”
“Of course,” Lecy answered distantly. “Father is desperate, but he would never do anything to hurt anyone, especially us. I keep telling Chrysanthia that if she says no and sticks to it, Father will not be able to force her to marry Ralf.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Scarlett offered, knowing she wasn’t. “We’ll see you in a couple of hours?” Lecy agreed and she hung up.
Scarlett and Chrys were in her old bedroom sipping tea when Edward brought Lecy to them. Carter and Darren had still not returned from the meeting, and Scarlett thought it would be easier that way. She knew how Lecy felt about Carter and knew she wouldn’t hesitate to voice her opinions. It would be best for all concerned if she could hustle Lecy out of the house before Carter returned.
Lecy surprised her with a hug, brushing the hair off Scarlett’s face. “You look well,” she commented, surprised. She’d clearly expected her sister to have wilted away to a pale ghost in the presence of Carter Braxton.
“We just returned from Greece,” Scarlett said lightly. “I got a tan.”
Frowning, Lecy examined her sister more thoroughly. “You’ve fallen in love with him,” she accused abruptly.
Scarlett forced herself not to feel defensive. Instead, she replied, “Yes,” in a steady voice.
“How can you do this to your family?” Lecy demanded, unaware how much she sounded like Lydia at the moment. “You have betrayed Father and us.”
“I have not,” Scarlett protested hotly. “I can’t live my whole life for Father, and I’m not going to ruin a chance for happiness simply because Carter hates our father.”
“I see where your sympathies lie,” Lecy condemned.
“Completely with Carter,” Scarlett retorted, getting angry. “How can you defend Father and his actions? He’s trying to sell Chrys to Ralf. How can you condone that?”
L
ecy sniffed. “I don’t approve of that, but Braxton has painted Father into a corner. He’s desperate and rash, doing things he wouldn’t normally consider. Unlike Braxton, Father’s a gentle man, and he loves us. He’s doing his best to protect us all.”
Scarlett shook her head. “Father is not what you think he is,” she contradicted sadly. “He’s a murderer.” The words flew from her mouth before she could think to stop them, and she absorbed Lecy’s shocked expression, and Chrys’ harsh sob, with a sick feeling.
“You know.” Carter stood framed in the doorway, and all eyes swung to him. Scarlett’s were guilty, and she looked away from him, focusing on Darren instead. “Lydia?” Carter inquired softly.
Scarlett forced herself to meet his eyes. “She thought I should know,” she answered lamely.
Carter sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sure that wasn’t her only reason,” he said grimly, with a shake of his head. “Would you mind explaining the family reunion?” he asked blandly.
“Let’s go into your study,” Scarlett suggested. Carter shrugged and followed her into his study. She saw the look of surprise on his facen when she went straight to his small supply of alcohol and poured two glasses of Scotch. She handed him a snifter, then downed hers in a single gulp. A choking fit seized her, but she finally regained her breath. “I’m sorry,” she apologized.
“For what?”
“That I listened to Lydia. I figured out immediately that you didn’t want me to know the circumstances, but I let her tell me anyway.”
“I doubt you could have stopped her,” Carter admitted. “Lydia is...stubborn.”
“I appreciate you trying to protect me from the truth,” Scarlett whispered. “I think you should have told me yourself though.”
“I have a question.” Carter forced himself to utter the words. “Was your promise to stand by made before or after you learned the truth?”
“After.” Scarlett hurried to him as she saw the pain on his face. “I meant what I said,” she insisted. “I love you and I’ll stand by you.”
“Out of pity?” he asked harshly, turning away from her.
“Of course not,” Scarlett said. “Don’t be stupid, Carter. I love you, and you had better believe that.”
Carter turned around, studying her eyes. “Your sisters?” he asked.
Scarlett recounted the morning’s events for him succinctly. “I told Chrys she could stay here,” Scarlett confessed.
“Damn,” Carter said softly. “Your father is more of a prick than even I realized.”
Seeing his troubled expression, Scarlett felt her heart sink. “What’s wrong?” she forced herself to ask.
Carter sighed as he settled into a wing-chair near the fireplace. “I told Rocco that I would not interfere with his attempts to gain the money for the house, as long as it didn’t involve asking me for an extension, or for the money.”
“So?” Scarlett prompted, wondering what difference that made.
“If I allow Chrysanthia to stay here, thus preventing the wedding, I’ve hindered your father’s plan to regain the money,” he said tersely.
“That’s good, isn’t it?” Scarlett asked, hands on her hips. “You don’t want him to be able to purchase the house from you. You want to see him suffer, don’t you?”
“Of course,” Carter agreed coolly, “But I gave him my word.”
“So some outdated ideals of honor are more important than my sister?” Scarlett demanded, outraged.
“It is my honor we’re discussing,” Carter pointed out, “And I don’t know your sister.”
Wounded, Scarlett stepped back from him. “I see,” she whispered, hurrying from the room. She didn’t want to face Lecy and Chrys without being composed. She wasn’t ready to tell her sister that she had to return to Terini Manor after promising her she could stay. At the moment, she would be in blubbering tears right alongside Chrys, and she had to be strong for her.
Scarlett went into a bathroom and closed the door behind her, engaging the lock. She sat on the closed lid of the toilet and cried for a few minutes. She was disappointed in Carter, but she could understand his point-of-view, which made the situation more difficult for her. She wished she could be completely angry with his insensitivity, but she wasn’t. He didn’t know Chrys, and he had no reason to protect her from their father. It was understandable why his honor was more important to him, but Chrys didn’t deserve to be thrown back into the lion’s den.
Scarlett racked her brain for a plan, but nothing was forthcoming. She had no way to raise the money required to pay off the house, and she couldn’t rescue her sister without Carter’s help. She couldn’t bring herself to leave Carter to return to Terini Manor, even if it was to protect her sister. What was she going to do?
Carter
Carter sighed heavily as she left the room, knowing he’d hurt her deeply. She wasn’t unreasonable in asking for his help for her sister. He’d finally realized that Scarlett was not her father and did not deserve to be punished for his sins, so it stood to reason that Chrys deserved the same consideration. He’d only seen her twice, but she’d struck him as naïve and sheltered. How could he allow her to be introduced to the real world in such a cold way?
Yet the alternatives left a bitter taste in his mouth. He could offer his protection to Chrys, diminishing his own image, both to himself and Terini. Breaking his promise would weaken his position, and he couldn’t allow that. He refused to appear weak in front of Terini.
The only other option was even more unpalatable. He’d accomplished most of his goal this morning. Terini’s company had been split into so many pieces, and each sold to a separate company, that, like Humpty Dumpty, he would never be able to put it back together again. His source of income was drained from him, and he was humbled. His reputation in the business community had been irreparably damaged, and that brought Carter satisfaction. Not complete satisfaction though. He’d wanted Rocco to be reduced to begging on the streets.
Carter couldn’t believe he was considering letting Terini off the hook. Was he really going to return the house to Rocco and mark the debt paid? Had he turned into a weak fool by loving Scarlett, or had she allowed him to rediscover a spark of humanity and compassion he’d thought long dead? Sighing, Carter rose from his chair and placed a call to Terini’s house.
Rocco picked up the phone with a terse hello, and Carter said, “Come to my home as quickly as possible. We have business to discuss.” He returned the phone to the cradle without waiting for Rocco’s reply and went to find Scarlett.
Edward directed him to the bathroom, and he stood outside the door for a few minutes, waiting for her to emerge. He was about to pound on the wood when she opened the door and ran right into him. He steadied her, noticing her red eyes and the nearly invisible tear tracks on her cheeks. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, opening his arms to her.
“I’m sorry too.” She snuggled closer. “I shouldn’t have asked you to intercede. I can understand why you don’t want to get involved. She’s not your concern.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Carter said.
“What?” Scarlett asked, lifting her head.
“Your father will be here soon, and I’ll deal with the situation,” he promised her. “Go tell your sister it’s being taken care of.”
Scarlett threw her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. “I love you. I know how hard this is for you.”
He shook his head and returned to his study to draw up the papers. Scarlett was worth letting go of the rest of his vengeance, he told himself. To his surprise, he believed the words and knew they were true. She was worth this sacrifice, and any other that might be required of him.
19
Scarlett
Scarlett entered the living room as Edward had announced his arrival. She knew Carter was still busy in the study but she wanted a moment alone with her father. She needed to tell him how she felt, about what he had done to her, to their family.
She sa
w him sitting in a chair looking nervous as she walked in. “Scarlett,” he said happily, rising from the chair with his arms outstretched. “You’ve done it.”
“Done what?” Scarlett asked in confusion, staying away from her father.
“Vanquished the enemy,” he explained. “I don’t know how you did it,” his tone was suggestive, “But I’m grateful you did.”
“I’ve done nothing,” Scarlett denied. “Carter is taking whatever action he is because he felt sorry for Chrys, and because I asked him to intervene.”
Rocco frowned. “Then Chrys shall be rewarded for giving such an outstanding performance,” he said jovially.
Scarlett’s mouth dropped open. “Are you saying that you deliberately sent Chrys here, that you aren’t trying to force a marriage between her and Ralf?”
“Of course not,” Rocco said. “She is supposed to marry Ralf in two weeks. I was put out that she ran here to you, allowing Braxton to know I was maneuvering to get the house back. Unlike you, she isn’t always responsible, and she doesn’t always do her family duty. It turns out that her impulsiveness might have brought an end to this unpleasantness though.”
Scarlett shuddered. “It’s more than unpleasantness. If you had any idea how hard it is for Carter to even contemplate releasing you from your obligations—” She paced a few steps from Rocco. “But he is a good man, and he has a conscience.”
“I don’t like this talk,” Rocco said brusquely. “Don’t tell me you’ve done something stupid like falling in love with him.”
Scarlett spun around to confront her father. “I could do worse,” she said. “I could have fallen for a man like you. One without scruples, or any regard for human life.”
Rocco paled and reeled back slightly, grasping the chair for support. “What did you say?” he asked weakly.
“I know all about you.” Scarlett sneered. “I know what you did to Carter, and to his brother-in-law. You may not have done the actual killing, but you’re just as guilty.”
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