Tinsley will never accept being a duchess if it means not being with my father.
That’s not even an issue.
This revelation puts my mind somewhat at ease, and I take a sip of the Sake.
It’s not that bad.
I take another sip.
“Do you like it?” The Duke asks.
He sips his own, and I take another sip.
I nod my approval, and the Duke beams at me.
“I do somewhat identify with your father, considering who your mother is,” The Duke says.
There it is.
“I can’t quite manage to get away from her,” I laugh.
“She’s got quite a way about her. Did you grow up with her?” he asks.
“No, I grew up with Athena,” I say.
“When my father couldn’t be around, Athena raised me,” I correct.
“Athena,” he repeats.
The Duke mulls over my statement.
“She really is a wonderful Aunt, and she means well. She’s got multiple degrees, and a masters,” I tell the Duke.
“Athena has done quite well for herself,” The Duke agrees with me.
“She’s not a bad person,” I add.
“Evan, don’t think that just because she was born out of wedlock, I would discredit her merits. One cannot discredit someone unless they’ve had the pleasure of making the same mistake. Her father could’ve handled her better when he was alive,” The Duke says.
“I really only know that he hid her. My father discovered her after his death, and brought her into the family as his sister,” I say.
“That’s about the story I recall,” The Duke nods.
“She always was a lovely girl,” he adds.
“What would you have done?” I ask out of nowhere.
“The proper thing to do would’ve been to have her adopted by a loving family that would’ve taken her in as their own, not hide her in the shadows for eternity,” The Duke says.
“I would agree,” I say.
But I can’t imagine giving up any child of mine.
Illegitimate or otherwise.
“I do, however, want to thank you, for all of this, for my father. This was my mistake to fix, and I deeply appreciate this all, sincerely,” I tell the Duke.
Geoffrey only waves a hand at me.
“My boy, you learn what’s most important in life, near the end. It’s more important that I protect my own,” he says.
“Or, did you think I didn’t know that Tinsley is currently pregnant with your father’s child?” he damn near sneers.
Fuck.
“I didn’t want to mention it, with your earlier comments. It was only speculation up until this point, but yes, that’s true. They’re engaged,” I tell him.
I don’t know if this is a mistake or not.
“Is she happy?” The Duke asks.
“Incredibly,” I say.
He nods.
“Then your father might just have to be a bigger man than I thought he is,” The duke says.
I don’t know what to say to this.
“Your Grace?” I ask.
“You and I both know, she would refuse to become a Duchess if there was a chance she may have to marry someone, other than your father,” The Duke explains.
“Of course,” I say.
“Well then, I think it prudent for your father to start thinking about his affairs in England, rather than focusing on what is now a downtrodden company,” The Duke says.
“He will, Your Grace. I promise you now, he will do anything to be with Tinsley, anything at all,” I say.
“Good, so long as he loves her,” The Duke says.
“So, you were testing me?” I ask.
“I was testing your loyalty to your father,” The Duke explains.
“I can’t have another Darlington running amok in the affairs of my family, now can I?” The Duke explains.
“Your Grace, I assure you, that in every respect: I am a Stone,” I say crisply.
“I thought so,” The Duke smirks back at me.
“I think we’re going to get along just fine,” he says.
25
Victoire
January 1, 2018
“I should really be at the hospital, but you’re the only person I want to see,” Evan tells me.
I step aside to let him in.
“You look good,” I say.
“If I look good, it’s because the sight of you makes me smile,” he responds.
“Besides, I’m sure my sister in labor isn’t something I want to be a part of. I don’t particularly care for hospital waiting rooms, either,” Evan admits.
“Probably a wise choice,” I reply.
My voice is seductive.
“I didn’t come here, for that, I came here to talk,” Evan says.
I can tell he’s wavering between the two options.
“Let’s talk,” I say.
We sit down on the couch together.
“Vic, I really do love you, but you just push me away. I can’t take the back and forth anymore, and I really don’t think this is going to work out. There’s too much on my shoulders now, and it’s very apparent that I’ve got to be a better man. I can’t focus on you, and since you don’t want this, I think it’s best if we end it,” Evan spells it out for me.
I can’t tell if I am shocked or relieved.
“Okay,” I say.
Every single inch of me wants to fight back, but I restrain myself.
I keep my perfect composure.
Not a hint of me will let this man know how much I want him.
I just want to be with him so badly now that it’s not even an option anymore.
“I understand,” my voice is quiet.
“You do?” he asks.
I nod.
“So, we can keep this professional, I’m going to be in London for a little while anyway. Maybe the distance will do us good. I think we need distance now, more than anything,” Evan says.
My heart is breaking.
I’m about to shatter into a million pieces, but instead, I give him a slow, steady smile.
I do not cry in front of men.
“We’ll always have a professional relationship, Evan, always,” I agree with him.
“Good,” Evan smiles.
He kisses me on the forehead.
“I need to go, but I’m glad you’re good. I’ll see you around, probably at the office tomorrow,” he says.
“Of course, I will be there,” I nod.
I manage to keep it together until the door is closed.
At first, it feels like I’m choking but then I get the sweet release of the big, baby sobs that envelope my entire body.
I’m in physical pain as I sob away the sadness of losing the only man I’ve ever loved.
I did it.
I intended to push him away, and now what?
Now, what am I supposed to do?
I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that I’m pregnant, that I’m going to keep the baby.
He would’ve reversed his decision in an instant, and I would’ve always wondered if he was with me because he loves me, or because of our child.
I am a stupid, stupid woman.
The phone rings just as my tears subside.
I pick it up from where I’m slumped down on the carpet beside the couch.
“Hello?”
“Isaac just left me!” Grace wails into the phone.
“Oh, God!” I gasp.
“What do you mean?” I ask her.
“He just, he said this was all such a joke, and he wanted no part of our marriage. He said it was a mistake and slapped the annulment papers down in front of me. Victoire what am I going to do!” she sobs into the phone.
“Listen to me,” I tell her, my voice shaking.
“You have always been a strong, independent woman, Grace. You have a big heart, and that’s not a bad thing. You will get through this, and then, at some point, the whole thing w
ill just be a distant memory, that you will call a bad date,” I say.
“Vicky, you always know what to say,” Grace tells me tearfully.
“Yeah, I do,” my voice is hollow.
“Are you okay? Are you still upset over Evan?” Grace asks.
“We broke up for real,” I tell her.
The tears come even though I will them not to.
“Oh, Vicky!” Grace tries to soothe me.
“He really ended it, and he’s the only man I want to be with, Grace,” I sob to my sister.
“I’m coming over, and we’re going to make drinks, and, we’ll do girly things, and we’ll feel better. Okay?” Grace asks.
“Okay,” I say.
Even though she can’t see me I nod anyway.
26
Evan
January 2, 2018
I must let go of Vic because whatever our back and forth was, I couldn’t do it.
I deserve better than a woman who can never make up her mind.
That doesn’t mean that I don’t love her.
The roof of the NLS building is windy and cold as I wait for Lucius to arrive.
As far as the FBI is concerned, I have no idea what is about to happen.
They could very well storm into our office this morning and take everything away.
It’s entirely possible.
Lucius grunts with a coffee in hand.
We lean against the door to the stairs to gain some shelter from the wind and snow that whips around our faces.
I can see all of Manhattan from here, far and wide.
The view isn’t perfect, as the storm batters the city, but this has always been home.
“Your mother either had him killed or killed Dominic Ventretti himself,” Lucius informs me darkly.
“What?” I gasp.
“Ventretti is dead. Elizabeth confirmed it herself that she is responsible,” Lucius says.
“Okay, one thing at a time. We can’t bother with this, when is the FBI moving in on us?” I ask Lucius.
“Today,” is all Lucius says.
“Today?” I gasp.
“Today,” he repeats.
“Goddamnit,” I say.
“Would it be illegal for me to go down there and warn everyone?” I ask.
“It’s supposed to be a surprise,” Lucius reminds me.
“Fucked up surprise if you ask me,” I retort.
I call Duke Whittaker immediately.
“Evan? Is that you? I can barely hear you?” The Duke answers.
“It’s me. The FBI is about to storm the office today, I need you here,” I shout into my cell phone.
Despite the whipping noise of the wind, The Duke hears me.
“I’ll be there,” he says.
My connection is cut off.
When I walk towards the edge of the roof and glance over the side, I can see FBI trucks below.
“Come on,” I tell Lucius.
Inside, we take the stairs two at a time, right into the top floor of the NLS offices.
Everyone is hard at work, and I go straight to my office to grab my passport from my safe.
I tuck it in my jacket and realize this is probably the last time I will ever see my office.
The view has always been incredible.
I run my hand along the tempered glass of my desk, then take a seat in my big leather chair.
Here, I had a purpose, things were finally going to look up for me.
And where am I now?
Nowhere.
I mull over this for a few seconds.
“Your father isn’t here,” Lucius tells me.
He stands in my doorway and looms over me like the grim reaper.
“Well that doesn’t make sense,” I say.
Then, I realize that I haven’t called my sister to congratulate her on the twins.
If this all goes south, I may never get the chance.
She answers on the third ring.
“Did you just get back from Hawaii?” Ava asks automatically.
“Something like that,” I lie.
“Congratulations on the boys, what are their names?” I ask.
“Thank you. We went with Grayson and Landon; different enough but similar. They’re identical Evan! Sometimes I can’t even tell the two of them apart!” Ava laughs.
“Oh Ava, I’m so happy for you,” I sigh.
“What’s wrong Evan?” she asks.
I cannot lie to my sister.
“I don’t want you to worry, but something is about to happen, and I believe we’re all going to move to London as a result,” I say.
“London!” Ava cries.
“Evan, what’s going on?” she pleads with me.
“Something happened, and NLS is currently being accused of having a link to funding terrorism, we’re going to lose everything,” I say.
Ava is quiet for a moment.
“Then. why London?” she asks.
“Because Duke Whittaker is about to save us all,” I explain.
“Oh,” is all Ava says.
She knows about Uncle Jude, and Duke Whittaker, she doesn’t know everything though.
I have a feeling that the shit storm is just about to commence once we get back to London.
Fuck.
“Ava just be ready to go to London, okay?” I say.
“I’ll… I’ll do my best. I’ve got two newborns! Oh, my God! Evan! What are we going to do?” she wails.
“Everything is going to be absolutely okay,” I keep my voice steady.
Even though I don’t believe it...
“I promise Ava, everything will be okay,” I say.
“Okay,” Ava says.
“I love you, Ev,” she says.
“I love you, too Ava,” I respond.
I hang up the phone.
I told Ava a lie.
I don’t believe everything is about to be okay.
There’s commotion in the office, but I only sit.
I sit and wait.
I hear my father’s voice in his office, and I’m there in seconds.
Duke Whittaker needs to show up!
I catch my father’s eye, and he nods to me as they’re about to put the cuffs on him.
I nod back.
My heart beats wildly as I wait, frozen in time.
It’s as though time has been suspended.
Just as they are about to walk him off to the elevator, Duke Whittaker appears.
That’s when I realize that I haven’t protected Vic.
They’re going to take her with everyone else in the office.
Goddamnit.
I’m an idiot.
Instantly, I make a break for Vic’s office, where she sits quietly in front of her computer, a cup of tea in front of her.
That’s odd, she doesn’t drink tea.
Whatever.
“Vic, we’re engaged, okay?” I tell her quickly.
“What?” Vic gasps.
“You need to be my fiancée, or else they’re going to arrest you too, I have to protect you,” I say.
I drag her back to my office, where I pull the ring out of the safe.
“Evan, what are you talking about? We can’t get engaged we just broke up!” she says quietly.
“Yeah but, we’ll fake it, until all of this blows over,” I tell her.
“Fake an engagement? To keep me out of prison?” Vic asks.
I open the box and show her the ring.
It’s the one with the pink diamond, from Harry Winston that she loved.
“Evan,” she whispers.
Vic doesn’t know what else to say.
“Just put it on, and we’re going to tell them where engaged, okay?” I say in a frenzy.
Vic nods and slides the ring on her finger.
I realize she’s got tears in her eyes.
“Goddamnit, Vic why are you crying?” I ask softly.
“Why are you protecting me?” she asks.
“Because I have to, I can�
��t leave you,” I admit.
“Then, why did you?” she starts, but then she stops herself.
“There isn't time for this,” she says.
Just as she finishes her sentence, a couple of SWAT members walk in.
“Victoire Bishop?” says one of them.
“You can’t take her,” I tell them crisply.
“She’s my fiancée,” I say.
They look from side to side at each other.
Vic shakes and shows them her ring.
“Do we really need an international incident over my fiancée?” I ask the two men.
They sigh heavily and leave my office.
Both Landon and Greyson are the cutest little things I’ve ever seen.
However, they’ve got quite the set of lungs, and Ava and Corban have only managed to get them to sleep four hours into our flight to London.
Tinsley is fast asleep.
Corban and Ava are out.
But my dad is awake, although he’s barely said a word to me.
“What is it?” I ask.
“You managed to save your family,” my dad says to me.
“You’ve grown up a lot Evan,” he tells me.
I move from my seat to sit across from my dad.
“I did my best, I’m sorry the company is gone,” I say.
“And all your assets in the US are frozen,” I add.
My voice is low.
He waves a hand.
“We’ve plenty in London they couldn’t touch. We’ll all be fine,” he says brusquely.
The sadness is in his eyes, though.
It’s written all over his face.
“I was going to tell you, but with the engagement, and everything I didn’t want you to worry about it. I wanted to handle it myself,” I tell him.
“Evan, you did the right thing,” he tells me.
“Really?” I ask.
“Vic kept telling me to call you, and I just couldn’t,” I admit.
He can tell that I am filled with regret.
“Don’t question yourself, Evan. You handled this like a man handles it. I’m not sure I would’ve even thought of what you did. You are truly like your old man, you knew what to do in a pinch, and then you made it happen. You saved your family,” he tells me.
I feel much more relaxed now that I know my dad isn’t angry.
But, I can tell he’s brooding.
Noah Stone is mourning the loss of all that he built.
“Did you know Duke Whittaker was a distant cousin of Tinsley’s?” I ask.
Heat_A Stone Billionaire Series Novel Page 18
