At the Ruthless Billionaire's Command

by Carole Mortimer

  ‘I know nothing about Richardson, either.’

  Gregorio’s lids narrowed on his brother. ‘This situation needs to be resolved, Sebastien. Quickly.’

  ‘But then Miss Fairbanks would move back to her own apartment.’

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘Rio—’

  ‘Why are you really here, Sebastien?’ Gregorio looked at his brother searchingly, noting the lines beside his brother’s mouth and eyes that didn’t gel with his light-hearted banter. ‘What’s wrong?’

  Sebastien sighed heavily. ‘Nothing a hot and meaningless fling wouldn’t cure.’

  Gregorio winced. ‘Do you have someone specific in mind?’

  His brother grimaced. ‘Maybe.’

  Definitely, in Gregorio’s opinion. ‘Who is she?’

  ‘Could we just concentrate on your problems rather than my own?’ Sebastien prompted impatiently.

  ‘This woman is a problem, then?’

  ‘Monumentally so,’ his brother conceded. ‘But don’t worry. I’ll handle it when I get back to New York.’

  ‘Handle it or handle her?’

  Sebastien gave a hard grin. ‘Both.’

  ‘I hope I’m not interrupting?’

  Gregorio turned sharply at the sound of Lia’s voice, a scowl darkening his brow as he saw she was only dressed in that over-large thigh-length red T-shirt, with her arm in its sling over the top of it and her hair dishevelled from sleep.

  ‘I’m Sebastien de la Cruz.’ His brother stood politely. ‘I hope we didn’t wake you?’

  ‘Lia Fairbanks,’ she returned stiltedly. ‘And, no, you didn’t wake me. I just woke up and felt in need of coffee.’

  ‘My big brother is in charge of the coffee pot. Rio...?’ he prompted as Gregorio made no move to pour a third cup.

  It was the first time Lia had heard anyone address him by the affectionate diminutive; it made him seem less the powerful and arrogant Gregorio de la Cruz and more the older brother. The casual navy blue polo shirt and faded jeans he wore added to that illusion.

  She hadn’t been able to help overhearing at least part of Gregorio’s conversation with Sebastien—again. The little she had heard made it clear Gregorio wanted her out of his hotel suite as soon as possible.

  Not that it came as a surprise. She already knew Gregorio had only insisted she come here at all because of that sense of responsibility he felt towards her. Nevertheless, hearing him reiterate those feelings to his brother made it all too real.

  ‘You are not dressed appropriately to receive visitors,’ Gregorio bit out tautly. ‘I suggest you return to your bedroom and put on a robe, at least.’

  Lia frowned at the censure she could hear in his tone. And at the continued lack of coffee. ‘I can’t manage on my own.’ She gave a pointed glance at the sling immobilising her arm.

  ‘Then I will come and assist you.’ Gregorio straightened. ‘If you will excuse us, Sebastien?’

  ‘Don’t bother on my account.’ Sebastien resumed his seat on the bar stool. ‘I think you look charming just as you are. Rio has explained that your arm is broken,’ he said sympathetically.

  Lia was sure, from the conversation she had overheard, that Sebastien de la Cruz was well aware of exactly how she had broken her arm. Or rather, how it had been broken for her.

  Now that she was no longer in excruciating pain, and the effects of the painkillers had worn off a little, she was aware of the shock of exactly what David had done to her. Of what else he had threatened to do to her if she didn’t back off.

  She really hadn’t known the true David at all until last night.

  She gave a grimace in answer to Sebastien’s comment. ‘It could have been worse.’

  ‘So I understand.’ He nodded. ‘I’m sorry you’ve had to go through this.’

  ‘The princess had to be woken by the frog some time. It’s what my father called me,’ she explained emotionally as both men looked at her. ‘His princess.’

  A princess he had protected from seeing or hearing any of the harsh realities of life. Until he’d died from the strain of trying to protect her from the harshest reality. Well, Lia was well and truly awake to all those realities now—she had the plaster cast on her broken arm to prove it.

  ‘I will accompany you to your bedroom and help you into your robe,’ Gregorio announced into the silence.

  Lia turned her frowning attention on him. ‘I haven’t had any coffee yet.’

  ‘Because I have not poured you any. Nor will I do so until you are wearing your robe.’

  ‘I’m perfectly decent as I am.’ The nightshirt covered her from her neck to a couple of inches above her knees.

  ‘I will be the judge of that.’ His mouth was thin, his dark eyes glittering.

  Lia gave a squeak of protest as Gregorio grasped her shoulders and turned her in the direction of the hallway and her bedroom, walking her forward in front of him. ‘I can walk unassisted!’

  ‘Then do so.’ He released her, but his presence behind her continued her impetus out of the kitchen.

  ‘What is wrong with you?’ Lia demanded impatiently once they were outside in the hallway.

  His eyes narrowed. ‘You are virtually naked in front of a complete stranger.’

  ‘He’s your brother, for goodness’ sake.’

  ‘And you met him for the first time five minutes ago—which makes him a stranger to you.’

  ‘“Virtually naked” would be wearing only my underwear,’ Lia defended. ‘And I don’t remember you complaining the last time I was in your suite dressed like that,’ she challenged.

  Gregorio could feel that nerve pulsing in his cheek again—a common occurrence, it seemed, when he was with this stubbornly determined woman. ‘And I would not complain if you were to be dressed like that again—as long as the two of us were alone together when you were.’

  ‘Sebastien didn’t seem to mind the way I’m dressed,’ she taunted.

  His lids narrowed to slits. ‘If you are trying to annoy me you are succeeding!’

  Lia snorted. ‘I obviously don’t have to try very hard.’

  Gregorio frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Never mind.’ She shook her head before turning to continue walking down the hallway.

  Gregorio caught up with her as she reached her bedroom. ‘What did you mean by that remark?’ he repeated as he followed her inside.

  She turned to face him. ‘I’m obviously nothing more than a nuisance to you. Even more so now that your brother has arrived.’

  Lia was so much more to Gregorio than a nuisance. More than he was prepared to admit. Even to himself.

  ‘Well?’

  He scowled his irritation. ‘Do not take that aggressive tone with me!’

  ‘Or what?’

  ‘What is wrong with you this morning?’ he snapped.

  ‘You’ve refused to give me my first cup of coffee of the day.’

  Gregorio drew in a deep breath in order to hold on to his temper. ‘Only until after you have put your robe on.’

  ‘And I’m still waiting for the assistance you so gallantly offered.’

  Gregorio ignored her sarcasm as he helped her to put her robe on. Lia was obviously spoiling for a fight this morning, and he wasn’t about to give her one.

  ‘Did you know that your accent gets stronger when you’re angry?’

  He finished tying the robe of the belt about her waist before stepping back. ‘Then I must presume it is always stronger when I am with you.’

  Lia arched a mocking auburn brow. ‘Did you just make a joke?’

  ‘Doubtful,’ he drawled dryly.

  ‘Irony is joking.’

  ‘Then I must make jokes all the time.’

  ‘When you’re with me.’ She nodded.

  ‘When I am with anyone.’

  Lia eyed him quizzically. ‘You and your brother aren’t much alike, are you?’

  He tensed. ‘In looks—’

  ‘Oh, I wasn’t talking about the way you
look—that’s a given,’ she dismissed without further explanation. ‘What is your youngest brother like?’

  ‘Alejandro is...complicated,’ he replied cautiously.

  Alejandro’s problems were not discussed outside the family.

  ‘Like you, then.’ Lia nodded. ‘He was married, wasn’t he?’

  That was part of Alejandro’s problem. And what did Lia mean by saying that he was complicated?

  His life was an open book. He was a successful businessman. Wealthy. Single. He had a healthy sexual appetite, as the newspapers were so fond of reporting, and he didn’t hide the fact that he had zero patience with incompetence or triviality. Or that he was bored very easily.

  Something he had certainly never been when he was with Lia...

  ‘You’re taking too long to answer, which probably means you aren’t going to.’ Lia sighed. ‘Can we go back to the kitchen now? The coffee is calling to me.’

  Gregorio gave an exasperated laugh as he followed her out of the bedroom. ‘You are obsessed with your morning coffee!’

  ‘He left with a scowl on his face and returns smiling,’ Sebastien observed mockingly as Lia and Gregorio entered the kitchen together. ‘You’re a miracle-worker, Lia.’

  She grimaced. ‘I think you’ll find Gregorio was laughing at me rather than with me.’

  Sebastien shrugged. ‘A smile is still a smile, for whatever reason.’

  ‘Is that such a rare occurrence?’ Lia seemed to recall that Gregorio had laughed quite often when the two of them were together. When they weren’t arguing or making love...

  ‘I would say unique rather than—’

  ‘When the two of you have quite finished discussing me as if I am not here...’ Gregorio raised pointed brows as he handed Lia the mug of coffee he had just poured for her.

  Oh, Lia was only too aware that Gregorio was there. As she’d said, Sebastien was as dark and handsome as his brother. But he possessed an easy charm that was lacking in Gregorio—although, on closer inspection, the sharp intelligence in Sebastien’s eyes gave the impression that that might be a veneer over a deeper, darker nature. But it was Gregorio she was constantly aware of. Every minute. Every second.

  Lia chose to concentrate on drinking her coffee rather than make any reply to Gregorio’s comment. Until the silence in the kitchen became uncomfortable. ‘What were the two of you discussing when I came in?’ Apart from the fact that Gregorio couldn’t wait to move her out of his hotel suite.

  ‘Your ex-fiancé.’ Sebastien was the one to answer her.

  She winced. ‘I would rather not be reminded of that fact.’

  ‘As would we all,’ Gregorio put in harshly.

  Lia gave him a sharp glance, knowing she deserved the admonition in his tone. Thank goodness she was no longer that naïve nincompoop who had fallen for David’s charm. ‘Any news on his whereabouts?’

  ‘None,’ Gregorio answered grimly. ‘Lia, the police will be coming here to interview you in just under an hour—’

  ‘The police?’ she echoed sharply.

  He nodded. ‘We can and will find Richardson, Lia, but it’s better if the police bring him to justice for the things he has done. As such, I telephoned the police and reported his attack on you last night first thing this morning. The story will be backed up by the broken door and the hospital report on your broken arm.’

  She carefully placed her empty coffee mug down on the breakfast bar. ‘You should have consulted me before doing that.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Uh-oh—I think I’ll go and take a shower and grab a couple of hours’ sleep, if no one minds.’ Sebastien glanced between the two of them. Lia was glaring at Gregorio and he looked genuinely perplexed by her anger. ‘Obviously no one is even going to notice I’ve gone!’

  Lia waited only as long as it took for Sebastien to leave the room before answering Gregorio. ‘You had no right to contact the police without talking to me first.’

  ‘I had every right.’ A nerve pulsed in his tightly clenched jaw. ‘I should have called them last night, once we reached the hospital, but I decided to wait until today—’

  ‘It wasn’t your decision to make—’

  ‘God knows what would have happened to you last night if I hadn’t kicked open the door to your apartment!’

  She was well aware of how much she owed Gregorio. ‘But the police, Gregorio...’ She groaned as she sank down onto one of the bar stools.

  Gregorio frowned as he saw how pale her cheeks had become. ‘Do you not see that this is the best way to put Richardson in the spotlight of the authorities? The police will want to know the motivation for his attack on you, and I will hand over to the police all the information I have gathered so far in regard to Richardson’s illegal dealings with your father.’

  Lia saw Gregorio’s motivation. It had been very cleverly done.

  He had taken care of two problems at the same time. He would pass on the information he had concerning Fairbanks Industries to the police and at the same time ensure that this situation ended as quickly as possible. The two of them would then be able to get on with their own respective lives.

  Which was what she wanted too.

  Wasn’t it?

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  LIA LAY HER head back against the sofa in exhaustion after the police had asked all their questions and finally left the hotel. But she wasn’t too tired to remember that she was supposed to be working today. ‘I need to contact Mike Harrington to tell him I won’t be in today.’

  Gregorio’s brow rose at hearing Lia call the hotel manager Mike Harrington; he had only ever known the other man by the more formal Michael. ‘I have already spoken to him.’

  ‘Why am I not surprised?’ Lia muttered.

  ‘At the time I was unsure of what time you were going to wake this morning,’ he defended.

  ‘Fair enough.’ She sighed. ‘I’m just wondering whose life you ran before taking over mine?’

  ‘Lia—’

  ‘It’s okay.’ She held up a defeated hand. ‘I understand.’

  ‘Understand what, exactly?’

  ‘That the quicker this is resolved the sooner I’ll be out of this suite and your life.’ She stood. ‘I think I’ll take some more painkillers and then follow Sebastien’s example of taking a nap for a couple of hours.’

  She left the sitting room.

  Gregorio was so stunned by her first comment that he was barely aware of the second one.

  Lia believed he wanted to hasten her departure—not just from this suite but from his life. What had he ever said or done to make her think that?

  His only motivation in ending this situation with Richardson was to ensure that nothing like last night ever happened again. He also wanted to clear her father’s name. Again for Lia’s sake, more than anyone else’s.

  Lia had been very defensive this morning. Spoiling for a fight. Earlier Gregorio had put it down to late reaction to the shock of Richardson’s attack last night. But what if it was for another reason entirely? Her barbs and sarcasm had been directed solely at him, Gregorio now realised. Much to Gregorio’s annoyance she had joked with Sebastien a couple of times this morning. Usually at Gregorio’s expense. And she had been calm and polite when she answered the questions put to her by the police.

  He didn’t understand why. What had he and Sebastien been discussing shortly before Lia joined them in the kitchen earlier?

  Damn it!

  Sebastien had been teasing Gregorio about his responses to Lia, and he had reacted defensively to that teasing. Had denied that Lia had any importance in his life amongst other things. One of those things being stating his need to resolve the situation quickly and to agree that it was so that Lia could move back to her apartment.

  He hadn’t meant that the way it had sounded—had only been fending off Sebastien’s too-personal comments.

  Perhaps he shouldn’t have said it? Especially in a place where there had been a chance that Lia
might overhear the comment.

  Damn, damn, damn it.

  * * *

  Lia’s first thought on waking up was that there was something heavy lying across her. Then she realised it had to be the unwieldy plaster cast she had on her arm.

  Except... This weight felt lower down than the plaster cast. Warmer too. More flexible.

  She carefully lifted the duvet so she could see what it was.

  An arm.

  A bare and muscular male arm, lightly dusted with dark hair.

  An arm she easily recognised as belonging to Gregorio.

  Gregorio is in bed with me!

  Lia was sure he hadn’t been there when she’d fallen asleep earlier, almost the instant her head had touched the pillow. She had been exhausted from talking with the police for over an hour, and then the painkillers had finally kicked in.

  Gregorio must have come to her bedroom and got into the bed with her some time after that.

  A part of her knew she should be annoyed, at the very least, at his having taken advantage of her sleeping. Another part of her just wanted to curl up in his arms and go back to sleep.

  She also couldn’t help wondering if the rest of him was as naked as his arm...

  She took care not to wake Gregorio as she scooted backwards until her bottom came into contact with his groin. She was more than a little disappointed to feel the brush of denim against her skin where her nightshirt had rucked up as she’d moved about in her sleep.

  ‘If you move back a little further you will discover that I am fully aroused.’

  Lia instantly tensed at the unexpectedness of discovering that Gregorio was awake. Was it because she had woken him? Or had he already been awake when she’d been fidgeting about trying to discover what was curved about her waist? And in her careful—and obvious—efforts to discover if Gregorio was naked...?

  She moistened her lips before speaking. ‘What are you doing in here?’

  ‘Until a few minutes ago I was sleeping.’

  ‘I meant—’

  ‘I know what you meant, Lia.’ Gregorio moved up to roll her gently onto her back so that he could look at her, careful not to jar her arm. Her face had more colour than earlier, thank goodness. Her eyes no longer had that haunted look, either. ‘I wanted to be here when you woke up.’