Redeeming The Billionaire (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 5) (29 page)

Could she believe him? More than anything she wanted to. What if this was all just an act? “Trent, how do I know this isn’t just ploy? A way to get me to fall in line with your plan? I love you and want to believe you, but I just don’t know if I can.” She spoke with as reasonable a voice as she could manage.

He wiped another tear away, and then took her hands again in his. “I know. That’s why I’ve decided not to run for the Senate. Marty let all the media outlets know at four o’clock this morning that I have no intention of running. It was on the front page of all the papers and on the morning news. Someone else can have Senator Harrison’s seat.”

Addie’s mouth dropped open. “What?”

“You’re more important than some seat in Senate. If it means you’ll marry me, I won’t ever go into politics. I’ll stay with Sherbrooke Enterprises for the rest of my life. Or come and work for you. Hell, if it makes you happy I’ll be a stay at home dad when we have children.”

Her mind reeled from his words. “You won’t ever run for office?” Her voice came out as a mere whisper.

“I’ll never enter politics if that’s what you want,” he said repeating his previous statement.

Her mind worked on processing his words. “But it’s important to you, Trent.”

He raised their joined hands toward his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “You’re more important. Please say you’ll marry me.” Trent released her hands then pulled out the diamond engagement ring he’d proposed with before.

Please answer me.
Addie sat across from him staring at the ring. He’d said what was in his heart and she’d at least listened. But had it been enough? So far she’d said little. “Addie, do you need time?” It would kill him if she left tonight without answering him, but he’d give her more time and space if she needed it.

Addie met his eyes, tears falling down her cheeks. “No, I don’t need time,” she said in a broken whisper. “I can’t let you give up your goals. If you don’t run someday, you’ll regret it and blame me. You’ll resent me.”

She hadn’t said no. That was a start. “That’s not—”

“I need a promise from you,” she said before he could finish.

“Anything.”

“Promise you’ll stick with your plan and run someday, maybe in six years.”

“But Addie—”

“Promise me. I know how important it is to you.” Her voice left no room for argument.

He pulled her left hand toward him. “If that’s what you want.” He slipped the ring on her finger. “Now, will you marry me?”
She’ll say yes.
He repeated the sentence over and over in his head. She’d marry him.

Her eyes dropped from his face and locked on the diamond. As if making sure it was real she touched it and then looked up. Tears still welled up in her eyes, but a brilliant smile lit up her face. She nodded and sniffled at the same time. “Yes.” She threw her arms around his neck.

The weight he’d carried around since she left lifted from his body and he wrapped his arms around her. Then he captured her mouth, the feel of her lips against his sending a shock wave through his whole body. “I love you,” he whispered against her mouth.

Addie kissed him back, her lips barely touching his. “I love you, too.” She pulled back and looked at him. “I need to tell you something.”

The excitement from before faded from her voice, and he recalled the original reason for her visit. “I’m listening.” He took her hand again, the need for physical contact great.

“Trent, I’m... ” Addie stopped. “I’m pregnant, Trent.”

Blood pounded in his ears and he stared at Addie.

“Trent?”

“How? Are you sure?” She’d told him she was on the pill.

“Do you remember when I had strep?”

Trent nodded as giddiness built up inside him.

“I guess antibiotics and the pill don’t mix well. And yeah, I’m sure. I haven’t seen a doctor yet, but I took seven pregnancy tests and they all came back positive.”

“Pregnant.” He pictured himself holding his own son or daughter. “Seven tests!”

“Are you mad?” she asked with caution.

“Mad?” How could she think he was mad? “I’m euphoric. I’ve got you and soon I’ll have a son or daughter. I couldn’t be happier.”

Trent stood, pulling her up with him, and crushed her against his chest. “I do think we should get married sooner rather than later now.” He kissed her before she answered.

When they broke apart her face again beamed with joy. “How about we start making plans later tonight. Right now I have something else in mind.” She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the stairs.

“I love the way you think.”

Jessica Quinn’s story in Book 2 of Christina Tetreault’s
Love On The North Shore Series
as well as Book 6 in
The Sherbrookes of Newport Series.

Chapter 1

Isabel Neri slowly made her way through the throng of holiday seekers getting off the ferry at Martha’s Vineyard. The privileged atmosphere surrounding her did nothing to ease her nerves. She quietly observed the excitement and anticipation of a summer getaway of those who gathered their children, belongings, and even pets and headed to the dock. For her, this wasn’t a summer holiday but the opportunity to pitch an idea for a documentary to a reclusive billionaire. Catching sight of a driver holding up a small white sign that simply said
Neri
, Isabel willed herself to move forward.

She had grown up feeling beautiful and feminine until an accident had robbed her of her youthful optimism and carefree approach to life. These days her passionate and curious outlook on life was tempered by a seriousness that concerned those closest to her.

The nervousness building in her tightly compressed lungs, Isabel forced herself to take a slow and steady breath. She knew the trip was probably a wasted effort. Marc Santoro would most likely refuse her request. But she also knew that, given the opportunity, she would be able to document a lost way of life. She recalled stories from her grandfather about the Carrara marble trade and knew instinctively that it was a story worth telling.

She had allowed her grandfather to convince her that seeking a grant to film the history of the marble industry was the next logical step in launching her career as a filmmaker. She had put together the financing for a trip to the marble quarries and used her grandfather’s influence to be granted an interview with the reclusive marble billionaire.

Isabel knew Marc Santoro had made his fortune in minerals and scarce metals and that he had a reputation for only granting a meeting if it was of interest to him. She still had his image seared into her brain from their chance meeting at her parents’ restaurant months ago. He had the look of a CEO: tall, clothed in well-fitted business attire, everything about him polished. He had been younger than she would have predicted from his accomplishments, barely thirty years old, with a boyish charm and intensity that won over anyone that came into his vicinity. She had noticed that those around him often did a double take when first seeing him. She assumed it was his near perfect bone structure, masculine jawline, straight nose, penetrating brown eyes and sculpted mouth.

Isabel had read what little press was available on the billionaire. It was limited. Even after an accident at the quarry, he would have the gates locked and refuse to speak with the media. Marc Santoro didn’t encourage attention, but the more remote he became, the more interested the world became. His name had been recently linked with a blond model. Why did he hold himself apart from the world? What was he hiding?

The driver insisted on carrying her bag and guided her to a metallic blue, vintage Aston Martin. He held the backdoor open while she glided inside the luxurious vehicle.

“How far is the drive?” she asked the older man.

“Not far. The whole island is only twenty-five miles.”

Within minutes they escaped the traffic and were heading out of Vineyard Haven on a country road.

The memory of her previous encounter with Marc Santoro was etched into her mind. He loomed larger than life in her grandfather’s world. He had a reputation for being ruthless in business and wealthy beyond measure. With defeat weighing heavily on her grandfather, Isabel knew that Marc Santoro could offer access to his quarry allowing her to document the importance of the marble trade. The project would spark new life into her grandfather.

As she began to rehearse her carefully planned proposal in her mind, she tried hard to dispel the nervous feeling building in her stomach.

“It can’t be that bad.” The driver looked at her in the rearview mirror with compassion in his eyes.

“I beg your pardon?” Isabel forced herself to sit back and relax her shoulders. Was she that transparent? She reminded herself why this was so important. Her family’s connection to the past would be lost and her grandfather would be crushed if she didn’t convince Marc Santoro to grant her access.

“Most of his visitors look nervous. But be careful about showing too many of your cards. A poker face often works better in these situations.”

Isabel fought against a wave of anxiety as she considered Marc Santoro’s reputation as ruthless and seeking perfection. Her grandfather and his cronies wanted her to approach him even though he was known to shred his enemies without a qualm. How could she possibly succeed in getting him to grant her a favor?

Isabel smoothed down her dress. “Do you work for Mr. Santoro?”

“Not directly. My firm handles picking up guests, organizing repairs or handling the caretaking of many of the estates on the Vineyard,” the driver said in a relaxed tone.

“What makes you think I want something from him?”

The driver seemed friendly enough as he said, “He would’ve come himself if you were important to him. And you can’t work for the media because he doesn’t give interviews. So that means you probably want something from him.”

It was true and Isabel hated asking anyone for help. She knew it had to do with her independent streak; she would rather not ask and give someone the power to say no. But her grandfather had pleaded with her and she had reluctantly promised him that she would film a collection of stories about the Carrara marble quarries.

Isabel clenched her hands together. “I’ve come to pitch an idea to Mr. Santoro and I know he’s difficult to impress.”

The driver nodded. “He’s just a man. Try not to let him rattle you.”

“I’ll do my best.” Isabel reminded herself not to show any nervousness. If Marc Santoro refused her request, then it would be impossible to create her documentary, as the grant was contingent on the Santoro Quarry being the focal point. Losing this project would cause her grandfather to sink further into despair and she worried his heart couldn’t survive more disappointment or loss. Alberto needed this film to feel honored. Since her grandmother’s death, he seemed to be a shell of his former vibrant and full-of-life self.

“Mr. Santoro isn’t a patient man. Know your facts and stand up for yourself. If he senses weakness, he will toss you out.”

Her grandfather had given her the same lecture. Isabel knew very little about Marc Santoro but remembered from their brief meeting that he was intense and had a look that reminded her of perfection. He was very much sought after in the mining world, often getting the most lucrative contracts and always invited to galas and black tie events. Although it seemed he seldom attended them. The most damaging press about him appeared a few years ago: he’d fired an apprentice, a second cousin, and the man told all. He talked about insane work hours, the absolute insistence of attaining perfection in each design and the inability to ever compromise.

“So you know Mr. Santoro quite well?”

“I don’t know how well any of the locals know him. He shuts himself away from everyone. But I guess that is the appeal of the Vineyard.”

Isabel nodded in agreement as she tried to dispel the feeling of doom overtaking her. Everything she knew about the marble business was from stories told to her by her grandfather and his friends. She had never even visited the abandoned family quarry in Carrara, Italy.

Isabel smiled fleetingly when she remembered the old men rejoicing that she was willing to meet with Marc Santoro. They had no idea that they were sending a damaged person to battle. She had to remind herself that he would never see her flaws. She would keep them hidden. She knew the scars repulsed her family, but she couldn’t imagine a man interested in perfection ever seeing them. Smoothing down the silk dress over her thighs once again——a nervous habit she’d developed——she could feel the marred skin.

She had her pitch ready. She knew that after traveling from Boston, he would probably give her twenty minutes.

Feeling on edge, she willed her body to relax as she methodically went through the typical interview questions that he might ask. She knew that he would probably question the gap on her resume.

Isabel turned on her tablet and made sure her presentation could be easily accessed, before slipping it back into her bag. She needed to be on her game today as so much was riding on this interview.