by Leslie Kelly
“I’d love to help you hide it,” she whispered with a saucy smile, eyeing the morning erection straining against the cotton.
“Oh, please,” he said with an exaggerated rolling of the eyes. “Spare me the ‘hide the salami’ jokes, especially since you just kicked me out of your bed.”
She lifted one shoulder, dropping the sheet lower until one breast was completely bared. “I didn’t exactly kick you out…”
“Yeah, babe, you did, so don’t go trying to tempt me back into it.” He leaned down to give her one more hungry kiss and a playful stroke of her breast. She sighed and arched toward him, deepening the kiss, knowing she was tempting him to stay.
He finally pulled away with a groan and a softly muttered curse. “You’re really bad,” he said as he grabbed his clothes. “And damn, I’m crazy about you.” Without another word after his shocking announcement, he grabbed his clothes. After crossing the room, he opened the person-high window. He waved and grinned his wicked, heartbreaking grin before ducking out onto the balcony connecting their two rooms.
After Troy left, Venus lay still for a full five minutes, thinking about what he’d said. Crazy about her, huh? She could live with that. For now, anyway.
A few moments later, she got up and showered. She spent several minutes under the pounding jets mentally reliving their long, sensual night. Finally, knowing she was going to get herself hopelessly aroused if she didn’t knock it off, she forced herself to focus on something else. Like the previous day.
She and Max had spent hours going through album after album. She’d loved hearing every story as Max shared his memories of his family. Venus had never considered herself the emotional type. She didn’t cry at weddings—except when she thought of the bucks the poor bride’s parents had to put out for a one-day party with a bunch of near strangers too cheap to bring good gifts. Ditto on movies—with the exception of Gone With The Wind.
But seeing Max’s life unfold on the pages of his albums, she’d cried. Particularly when gazing into the vivid green eyes of Violet Messina, and Max Jr. Those eyes, more than anything else, had convinced her she’d made the right decision about the DNA test. Staring into those photos had been like staring into a mirror.
At some point, while examining the photos, or perhaps while laughing nose to nose with Troy when he’d picked her up to swing her around after she’d made her one decent shot in mini golf, or maybe even twenty minutes ago when he’d told her he was crazy about her, she’d come to a decision.
She was staying in Atlanta. For herself. For Max.
And for Troy.
After drying off, she dressed and began to brush out her hair. When she heard a knock on her door, she figured Max was popping in. She was surprised to see Leo Gallagher instead. “The prodigal nephew returns,” she said. “I thought you were Max.”
“I passed him downstairs as he left for his golf game.”
Venus felt a twinge of disappointment that he hadn’t stopped in for a morning chat. Continuing to brush her hair, she glanced at Leo and raised a brow. “You’ve been rather scarce.”
“And you’ve been rather busy,” he said, a small smile on his lips. The smile instantly put her on guard.
“What do you mean?”
“I noticed someone leaving through your window a little while ago when I pulled up.”
Great. Leo had seen Troy. “I know we agreed on discreet…”
“Don’t worry about it,” he said. Not waiting for an invitation, he sat in a delicate antique chair in the corner. “I have to admit, with his reputation and your appearance, I rather suspected the two of you would…get along.”
He didn’t seem to mind. That bothered Venus more than anything else the man had said. It seemed so…un-Leo-like.
“So, you told Uncle Max you want the DNA test?”
She nodded warily. “Is that all right with you?”
Leo shrugged. “It’s not necessary, but I have got someone lined up to take care of it.”
Not entirely sure she wanted to know, she quietly asked, “Why is it not necessary, Leo?”
A slow satisfied smile crossed his lips. “Well, dear, because I have medical records listing your blood type and Max Jr.’s. I already know the truth. I’ve known all along.”
She waited, her heart skipping a beat as she suddenly suspected what he was about to say.
“You are not Max Longotti’s granddaughter.”
AS TROY SHOWERED, he wondered if Max had already stopped in to say goodbye to Venus. He hadn’t heard the older man walking by his room, but suspected he wouldn’t leave without a quick visit. Frankly, judging by the buoyant mood they’d both been in last night, he had a feeling the two of them had reached some kind of understanding about their relationship.
And that could mean Venus wasn’t going home tomorrow.
He didn’t stop to think too much about the big smile that possibility put on his face as he dried off and got dressed. He’d evaluate the feeling later, once he was sure she wasn’t flying out of his life within twenty-four hours.
Wanting to see her again already, but not wanting to interrupt if she was with Max, he decided to visit her the same way he’d left. He opened his window and stepped out onto the balcony. The curtains flowing in the gentle morning breeze told him her window was still open as well.
As he approached, he was easily able to distinguish two voices—Venus’s and a man’s. Assuming she was with Max, he decided to leave them alone. Then he paused, hearing a word sounding like the kind often used by sailors.
It had been spoken by Venus.
“You selfish bastard,” she continued, sounding furious.
“Don’t take the high road,” the man replied.
Troy recognized the voice of Leo Gallagher. Leaning closer, he saw the other man sitting stiffly in Venus’s room.
“You can’t tell me you don’t want the money.”
“I don’t want the money,” she snapped.
Money? Troy’s jaw tightened.
“You wanted it a week ago, didn’t you? You were quick enough to cash my check and come down here, even though you didn’t believe what I’d told you was true.”
“Shows how right my instincts were,” Venus said. Troy couldn’t see her—she obviously stood in a corner near the bathroom, out of his range of sight. “I can’t believe you knew all along I couldn’t be Max Jr.’s daughter and did this anyway. Or that I was stupid enough to cash your check.”
Troy drew in a deep breath, shaking his head as a wave of disappointment washed over him. Venus had been paid to come here. No matter how angry she was at Leo now, she’d accepted his money to meet Max. Troy couldn’t help feeling betrayed. Not so much because she’d done it but because she’d been lying about it. In spite of what had happened between them, she hadn’t trusted him enough to come clean.
“Get out, Leo. I’m packing up and going home. I will not be used by you so you can get your grubby hands on Max’s business.”
The man didn’t seem concerned. “Be sure to tell him goodbye before you leave.”
“You bet I will.” Her words were almost snarled. “I’ll be sure to tell him all about his loyal nephew, who brought me down here to try to run a scam. What did you think, that you’d talk me into convincing him not to sell to Troy’s family?”
Troy wondered the same thing. He frankly couldn’t see what Leo had to gain out of this whole scheme, with the exception of time. A DNA test would have proven the truth, and Max would still have sold. It just might have taken longer.
“That was one option,” Leo said. “It still can be, if you stop and think of the money you could make. I have someone lined up to run the DNA test in our favor. You can stay and live happily as Max’s granddaughter. Make him happier than he’s been in years.” Though he was obviously trying to appear concerned, he was unable to hide the note of self-satisfaction in his voice.
“The two of you can be together and you can convince Max to retire, keeping the company in
the family—with me at the helm.”
“What was the other option?” Venus asked, sounding weary.
Leo appeared to visibly relax, and Troy wondered if something in Venus’s expression had led him to think he was getting through to her.
The man obviously didn’t know who he was dealing with.
“Many people know about Max’s medical problems, including the board of Longotti Lines.” Leo stood and approached the window, though not coming close enough to see Troy outside. “He’s also not in the best emotional shape. But he’s grown very fond of you, hasn’t he? Pinned all his hopes and dreams on your pretty shoulders. Finding out you’re not his little Violet, such a severe disappointment…well, he could break down. Again.”
Troy closed his eyes briefly, remembering what Mrs. Harris had let slip the other evening about Max’s previous breakdown. His fingers clenched into fists and he wanted nothing more than to slam them into Leo Gallagher’s self-serving face.
“You cruel man.” Venus’s voice was low and thick with emotion. Troy knew her well enough by now to recognize the fury buried in the sadness. “I have to say, in spite of the things I’ve seen in my life, I can still be surprised by how damn vicious some people can be.”
Leo continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “I don’t think I’ll have much problem convincing the voting board members Max isn’t competent to make major decisions about the future of the company.” He shrugged in satisfaction. “So, you see Ms. Messina, either way, I’ll get what I want. All that remains to be seen is whether you care enough to keep an old man happy in his final years. Or if you prefer to tell him the truth and make him fall apart, after which I’ll step in and take over the company anyway.”
“I won’t lie to a man who’s been nothing but kind to me.”
“Suit yourself,” Leo replied. “By all means, tell him the truth. Might be quicker that way.” He stood and plucked an invisible piece of lint off his navy sport jacket, still seeming perfectly content with the way his plan had progressed.
“You won’t get away with it, Leo. I’ll tell the board what you did,” she said, her voice regaining its steely tone.
Leo chuckled. “Who would believe you? I have the cancelled check you cashed. I was your dupe, the pawn of a grubby foster kid turned bartender who tried to con us all. Poor Uncle Max.”
Troy had heard enough. Pushing through the billowing curtains, he entered Venus’s bedroom and strode across the room. He grabbed Leo by the collar of his designer jacket.
“Langtree!”
“They’ll believe her,” Troy snarled. “Because I heard every miserable word, you lousy little prick.”
Before Leo could respond, before Troy could even give the man a good hard shake, the bedroom door was pushed in from the hall. “As did I.”
Venus, who still couldn’t quite believe Troy had just stalked in here like an avenging god, watched in dismay as Max entered, looking pale and shaken. And very, very angry.
“Max, how long have you been standing there?” She went to his side to take his arm.
He patted her hand. “Long enough. Don’t worry, dear. I’m fine.” He turned to his nephew. “Get out of my house. Remove your belongings from my offices. With four witnesses, I think we’ll be able to convince the board that you’re completely unsuitable for any type of responsible position.”
Venus followed Max’s glance toward the doorway, seeing Mrs. Harris standing there. She’d obviously heard every word, too.
“Uncle Max, I…” Leo attempted.
Max held up a steady, unshaking hand, silently ordering him to stop. “Out. Right now, before I call the police.”
Obviously knowing he couldn’t twist this situation to suit himself, Leo cast a glare at Venus. He swept out of the room, brushing past Mrs. Harris. The housekeeper turned to follow him, her arms crossed over her chest. She appeared to want to ensure Leo didn’t pick up any souvenirs as he left.
When the three of them were alone in the room, Venus slid her arm around Max’s waist. “I feel so awful.”
“None of this was your fault, Venus. You were used as much as I was by the slimy weasel. I’m so glad we’re not actually blood relatives. Never could stand the little peckerwood.”
Venus bit the corner of her lip.
“I was this close to introducing him to my fist,” Troy said. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt such violence toward anyone in my life.”
“Just as well you didn’t,” Max replied succinctly. “He’d have found the nearest ambulance chaser and sued you but good.”
Seeing the man trying so hard to joke, to reassure her, Venus felt tears rise in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Max.” He shrugged, obviously about to tell her again it wasn’t her fault. She hurried to explain. “What I mean is, I’m so sorry I’m not her.” Her voice broke and she cleared her throat. “I wish more than anything that I was really your granddaughter.”
“So do I, honey,” he murmured, still patting her hand. “Can I confess that in my heart, you always will be?”
Troy edged toward the door, probably thinking they wanted to be alone. “I think I’d better go down to the office and make some phone calls. Leo’s going to try to twist this his way and we need to cut his legs out from under him right up front.”
“Let me start here at the house with some of the longstanding members of the board,” Max said. He glanced back and forth between Venus and Troy. “I should go downstairs now and make sure Mrs. Harris isn’t having any trouble with Leo. Troy, I’ll see you shortly?” Before he left, he pressed a kiss to Venus’s temple. “Come visit me later, when you’re feeling better, all right? We’ll talk things over.”
She nodded, blinking rapidly. She didn’t want him to see her cry, not when he’d been so strong. As soon as he was out of the room, with the door shut behind her, however, she felt the moisture on her cheeks.
Without a word, Troy pulled her into his arms, twisting his fingers into her hair to cup her head and hold her tight. “It’s all right,” he whispered. “Max is going to be okay. Leo didn’t give him enough credit—he’s a tough old guy.”
She let the tears come, crying for Max. For herself. For the fantasy father she’d let go of while she’d tried to embrace an unexpected gift of family. Now that family had been yanked away too, leaving her with nothing.
Though she was glad she’d gotten to meet Max, part of her wished she’d never come. Once again, love seemed to be a blessing and a curse. She’d begun to love the old man. And, like nearly everyone else she’d ever loved, she’d lost him. At this moment, she couldn’t say whether the emotion was worth the heartache.
Troy tugged her down to sit beside him on the bed. She kept her face buried in his neck, sucking up his comfort and warmth like a kid burrowing into a parent.
“Venus, baby, don’t,” he whispered, stroking her hair, her back, and kissing her temple. “Max doesn’t blame you.”
“He should. I should have trusted my instincts about Leo.”
He shook his head, and finally Venus took a deep breath and pulled away. They remained on the bed, face-to-face. Troy looked concerned and understanding, but she thought there was also a hint of something else in his eyes. It was as if a veil had dropped over them and just a bit of the warmth with which he’d looked at her before had been lost.
“Did you hear everything?” she asked.
He nodded. “I knew Leo had you all wrong and you wouldn’t do it. Once you began to love Max, you couldn’t have betrayed him.”
Though his trust warmed her, she again noted something remaining unsaid. Then she began to understand. “But before I got to know him…I took Leo’s money.”
Troy stiffened so slightly, she almost wondered if she imagined it. But she knew she hadn’t.
“Max isn’t angry about the money.”
“You are.”
He didn’t answer with words. His eyes were telling enough.
“I shouldn’t have lied about it,” she admitted.
“I wish you hadn’t. I’d hoped you’d started to trust me enough to tell me the truth.”
She glanced away. “I guess I’m not used to trusting people.”
“Me, neither,” he admitted with a rueful sigh.
“Maybe that’s why we got along so well from the start.” She paused. “And why it’s best for me to leave now.”
“You don’t have to go,” he said. “You heard Max—he doesn’t blame you. He cares about you. He’d be glad if you stayed.”
She waited for a few seconds—the length of a heartbeat—for Troy to continue. Would he admit he cared for her, too? Did he want her to stay? When he said nothing, she sat up straighter, more resolved. “I was leaving tomorrow anyway.” Her voice didn’t catch at all on the lie. “I’ll stay in touch with Max.”
He raised a brow, waiting for her to continue. When she didn’t, he said, “And me? Will you stay in touch with me, Venus?”
Would she? Could they maintain a long-distance affair, with occasional trips for hot, exciting weekends filled with passion and laughter? A day or two ago, she might have said yes. But that was before. Before she’d realized she was in love with him. Before she’d been reminded just how heart wrenching love could be.
If she really thought they had a future, she might have risked it. But they didn’t. She was not the long-lost heir to a millionaire. She was not going to be living in an Atlanta mansion, mingling with the kind of polite society Troy was used to. She was the one who couldn’t dance, had wild taste in clothes and didn’t know one utensil from another. She was the unemployed, broke bartender from Baltimore with a mountain of debt and a string of bad relationships trailing along behind her.
I’m the woman who took money from a stranger to come play on the hopes of a sad, heartbroken old man.
The memory shamed her. How could Troy not be ashamed of her, too? She’d seen that look in his eyes. She knew he no longer trusted her. They wouldn’t end up together in the long run. So, for her own protection, she needed to walk away now.
“I don’t think so, Troy. This has been amazing. But we both knew it was short-term. Lust. Not…not love. We’re too different for it to be anything more than physical. And physical seldom survives long distances.” She forced a humorless laugh. “Out of sight, out of mind, as they say.”
