Riley’s Billionaire (19 page)

‘Maybe not, but if you want to find your brother and sister, those are my terms. My daughter in exchange for whatever information I can give you.’

Riley put her hands to her face. It was unthinkable. She was to be his...what...his pen pal?

She studied Frost’s face and felt sorry for him, despite his role in her life. He was a broken old man, living his just desserts, but human, nonetheless. Maybe he didn’t deserve her pity, but Riley sensed his pain. ‘One more thing. Who hired you to kill me?’

Frost swallowed so hard his Adam’s apple bobbed in his bony throat. ‘I never knew the name. A man paid me cash to do the job, but he mentioned his employer was stinking rich, haughty, a real bitch. That’s all I know.’

A woman! Riley was stunned. Sharon? Had to be her — the only other female family members back then were her own mother and grandmother. But...Sharon?

Riley looked into Jack’s eyes. ‘Surely not.’

Frost cleared his throat, interrupting them. ‘Oh, and he said she wasn’t family.’ He clicked his tongue against his teeth. ‘Why would somebody not even related to you want to kill the three of you?”

One of the guards called ‘time’, saying the visit was over.

Riley quietly thanked Frost, even though neither Jack nor Lex uttered a word. And the three of them filed out of the prison, following the guard who’d led them to the room.

Once outside, they looked at one another forlornly.

Lex hugged her friend. ‘I’m sorry, luv. Seems he either didn’t know or was unwilling to offer much help.’

Jack pulled out a cigarette. ‘Mind if I smoke before we head back to Hervey Bay?’

Riley looked at him in surprise. ‘You’re returning with us?’

‘I sent my luggage on to Cadigal Valley, so I can’t stay — have nothing to wear. But I was hoping Lex might give me a lift to the airport when we get back.’

Lex immediately said she would.

Jack nodded. ‘I’d like to treat you two to a late lunch before I board.’ He chucked Riley under the chin. ‘Stay awhile longer if you like, but once you’re home...we need to talk.’

Riley hated to drop in on Lex, use their friendship for her own means, then leave. Besides, she needed more time before the show-down with Jack.

‘He’s probably asking me for a divorce,’ she wailed to Lex over breakfast the next morning.

‘Eat your bubble and squeak.’ Lex set a plate of steaming vegetables fried with egg before her. ‘I think you’re wrong. The man loves you.’

‘Nah.’ Riley wished it to be true, but it wasn’t. Couldn’t be. ‘He’s never said so.’

‘Really?’ Lex sat across the patio table from her. ‘Don’t you think he’s shown how much he cares by taking you to Nice with him, buying you whatever you want, chasing you down so you wouldn’t enter into conversation with a convicted murderer on your own?’

Riley picked at her food. ‘Jack is a thoughtful man. Doesn’t mean he’s in love.’

Lex laughed. ‘Some women equate thoughtfulness to love, you know — having a man put them before himself.’

‘Then why won’t he say so?’

Lex shrugged. ‘Maybe he’s waiting for you to make the first move.’

‘Uh, no. Jack always makes the first move. He’s very decisive like that.’ She took a bite of her food. ‘It’s maddening. I could be fifty before he ever says he loves me.’

‘So throw him off his game — say it first.’

Riley put down her fork. ‘What if he rejects me?’

‘Then you’ll know how the majority of men feel when they’re tuned down. Isn’t that the worst that could happen? Not like he’ll divorce you. He wants a Fitzgerald wife, remember?’

‘How can I forget?’ Riley groaned loudly. ‘Men!’

‘Much as I’d like for you to meet my husband and children, I think it’s time you went home, luv. I’ve done all I can for you, and the longer you put this off, the more miserable you’ll feel.’ Lex’s voice became gentle. ‘Go home. Talk to him. And see if you can’t work something out that pleases you both.’

Riley mumbled. ‘I may be back within the week to cry on your shoulder.’

‘You might be. But you have to at least broach what’s troubling you. He deserves at least that much.’

Jack paced like the panther to which Riley had likened him. So many things he’d like to say — so much he was afraid she’d toss in his face. He’d spent another lonely night without her, and while sex with his wife was astounding, he felt hollow, like something was missing when she wasn’t with him. He knew he’d be miserable without her — that much was certain.

Like her, he was disappointed that Frost hadn’t been able to give her closure on her past or much hope for a future of finding her siblings. Knowing Riley, she wouldn’t accept defeat. He’d have to support her, whatever she decided, to stand by her even though it might kill him if he had to watch her heart breaking.

Like they didn’t have enough to deal with between them?

Jack cursed himself. The bloody contract — his idea, his albatross, weighing down every moment he spent with her because he felt guilt for ever having had her sign it. Not only guilt, but anger with himself. He no longer wanted the marriage they’d forged, not on those terms. It was worse than a prenuptial. It was a cold-hearted business arrangement forcing her to choose between the family she desperately wanted and the vineyard which was her heart’s desire.

He knew Riley, almost as well as he knew himself. Given those choices, she’d take children — he was certain of it. But he couldn’t carry the burden of knowing he’d robbed her of a professional dream.

Thing is, mate, would she want
your
children?

He pulled out his cell phone. He still had time to make a phone call. Plenty of time to right a wrong. A few precious hours before his fate would be determined.

Amelia entered the salon of the conservatory. ‘Broody sod, aren’t you?’

He grimaced. ‘I need your help, dear lady.’

She grimaced. ‘Don’t tell me you want to move into that dreadful cabin at the top of the hill.’

He cocked his head. ‘Why would you think that?’

‘Because you and my granddaughter spend most of your time either there or on your bike chasing thunderstorms.’

‘The storm chased us, and...do we really?’

‘Oh, you make appearances here, but neither of you seem to be here in spirit. I was afraid I was losing my housemates. So if that’s not your issue, what is?’

‘A favour. I need you to trust me, to deed me the land on which the cabin sits as well as the vineyard in the valley to the north — as a present to Riley. No strings.’

Amelia frowned. ‘Why? The whole bloody lot will be hers some day.’

‘She needs it now. I’ll level with you — Riley and I had a marriage of convenience contract, but I want it dissolved. I don’t want her remaining out of some sense of loyalty.’

‘Ha.’ Amelia clapped her hands. ‘Loyalty to you or to me?’

Jack lolled his head on his shoulders to relax his muscles. ‘Amelia, she already loves you.’

‘You think she doesn’t care for you — is that it?”

‘She doesn’t love me. Hasn’t said so, at any rate. But yes, I don’t want her staying out of obligation to me or because I trapped her into whatever this is we have between us.’

‘Is the word stupid in your vocabulary?’ Amelia shook her head. ‘I knew something was odd when the two of you arrived. I probably should be pissed off that you’d do such a thing to her. But...’ She shrugged. ‘I can see how these things happen.’ She narrowed her eyes. ‘Are you telling me you married her just because you thought she might be my granddaughter? Jack?’

‘I — I...I don’t know. Let’s just say I feel differently now than I did then.’

Amelia gasped. ‘What were you thinking?’

‘I wanted to reunite you with your grandchildren. I wanted to hire a viticulturist. I needed a wife for social functions.’

‘And being the businessman you are, you thought you’d wrap up as much as you could in a tidy package without overspending. I hope you at least promised my granddaughter a good salary.’

He took a deep breath, puffed his cheeks, and let the air escape slowly before answering. ‘I’ve given her monetary support, but until that visit to the prison yesterday...’

‘What?’ Amelia stood. ‘You took her to see that awful man?’

‘No, sit down, please. I sprang a surprise visit on her when she and her friend were there. I didn’t feel she should be there without my protection.’

‘Dear Lord.’ Amelia fanned herself. ‘Well, she’s her father’s daughter –he was just as headstrong as Riley.’ She closed her eyes and shook her head. ‘Let me get this straight. Riley is here because you had her sign a contract?’

‘I suspected she was your granddaughter but lacked sufficient proof. I couldn’t very well just approach her and say
Hey, I think I know who you are.’
He gave an exasperated sigh. ‘She’d wonder why I’d had her followed, like I was some pervert stalking her.’ He shrugged. ‘I didn’t exactly want to get married — it just seemed like a good idea at the time.’

At that, Amelia burst into laughter. ‘Oh, dear. The man who always has a plan made a snap decision? You married on a whim?’

‘And...I didn’t expect...I didn’t think I’d like being married to her as much as I do.’

She guffawed. ‘Man, why can’t you simply admit you’ve fallen in love with your wife?’

‘I’ve never been in love. Is that what this is? Being sick to my stomach when she’s in danger, wanting to wrestle her to the ground when she doesn’t listen to reason? Sometimes she makes me so crazy I feel I’m losing my mind.’ He ran his fingers through his hair. ‘And when she’s not with me, I think about her constantly and can’t wait till we’re together again. That sounds more like insanity than love.’

He leaned forward. ‘Will you help me?’

She indicated his phone. ‘If you’re calling our attorney, don’t bother. I’ve already done so. He’ll be here within five minutes.’

‘Why?’

‘Because, dear boy, I’ve made my decision, and it’s not based on whether or not you’re married to my granddaughter. Patrick isn’t cut out for business. Socialising, sure. Business, no.’ She held out her hands, palms up. ‘I’m sure I can find something else for Patrick if he needs a job, but Cadigal Valley is yours.’

Jack rose and leaned across the glass table between them. Taking her face in his hands, he kissed her full on the mouth then sat back, satisfied he’d flabbergasted her, thrilled she’d managed to read him like she always had.

‘One request?’

Amelia looked incredulous. ‘Another favour?’

‘Place everything in your granddaughter’s name, or at least consider joint ownership of the valley and vineyards. Better yet, place it all in a trust for all three of your grandchildren.’

‘Only if you’re the trustee.’ Amelia dabbed at her eyes. ‘I guess that means you believe the other two are alive?’

‘Yes.’ He wished he could offer her more. ‘We’ll just have to wait and see what information Frost will give Riley. He seemed taken with her.’ Jack cringed. ‘Definitely a hard man, a criminal deserving his life sentence, but...I could tell our girl got to him. He will tell her in time what she wants to know.’

‘I see. When is Riley to return?’

‘She should be here within a couple of hours.’

The wait would be painful, but he’d suffer through it. Had to. When Riley arrived, she’d have the power to humiliate and hurt him, but it was a risk Jack had to take.

The trip home seemed double the time it should take to Riley. Thankfully, James was there with the limo to whisk her from Kingsford-Smith Airport to Cadigal Valley. He was silent, as always, and Riley left him in peace. She had more to deal with on her plate than she could say grace over and didn’t feel up to talking anyway.

She still hadn’t decided what he’d do. Tell her husband she wanted a divorce? Not likely. Inform him she was ready to break their contract, that she couldn’t possibly work beside him, see him on a daily basis? What would she give as an excuse, that his presence made her legs weak, mind numb, and insides melt? Poor Jack. He might be a bit of a bully, but he had feelings. She’d put him on the spot and make him most uncomfortable. Better to say she had second thoughts about their marriage. She’d never get her vineyard, not for another couple of decades. She wouldn’t have his children...and the thought depressed her like none other.

Basically she had to decide if pride was worth it. Suffer the job, engage in a loveless marriage and at least have the children she wanted, or walk away with nothing, which was what she had when they first met.

By the time they arrived home, her body reflected the psychological toll of the past few days. Her stomach was in knots, lumps formed in her throat, making breathing almost impossible. Her hands shook.

She looked up. Jack stood on the terrace waiting for her. Amelia sat at the table near him. Some man Riley didn’t know was seated across from Amelia.

And there are papers in the man’s hands. Oh, no, please, not yet. Let me at least be able to talk to Jack, to tell him how I feel before he divorces me.

Riley knew heartbreak in that instance. She’d disregarded Jack’s feelings, had taken advantage of his kindnesses. She hadn’t fulfilled the promise she’d made concerning the vineyards — for one thing, there hadn’t been time. Now she wanted the chance to right all wrongs, to at least work on their problems. Together. This wasn’t fair.

Why won’t you smile? Because you’re not particularly glad to see me?
She noted his face, the tired stance, and his hands in his pockets.

He looked concerned, not angry. Maybe there was hope.

‘Jack, I’m sorry,’ she began.

He held out a hand and escorted her to the table where the other two sat while James took care of her luggage. ‘Riley, this is Colin, one of our attorneys.’

The short, balding gentleman rose in courtesy. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Beauchamp.’

Riley sat in the chair Jack pulled out for her. ‘Hello.’ What else was there to say? She certainly wasn’t glad to meet him.

‘I shall leave you with your grandmother.’ Jack kissed his wife’s hand. ‘I’ll be upstairs if you wish to talk afterward.’

She glared at him, unable to keep the disappointment from her face. He was leaving her? Letting his attorney break up with her on his behalf? And with Amelia present?