Baby for the Billionaire(43)

“That’s okay, Joyce. I can wait in his office.”

“No, he said to tell him when you arrived. It’s only the family in there anyway.”

Knowing he was waiting for her filled Sasha with pleasure, more so when Joyce said to go straight into the conference room.

“Thank you.” Sasha’s steps were lighter as she continued along to the end of the corridor. The view of the harbor through the panel of windows called out to her and she was really beginning to look forward to the cruise today. The harbor breeze could be just what she needed right now, especially if she was sharing it with Nick.

“Come in,” Cesare called out in response to her knock.

Sasha opened the door with a smile. She had to admit she really liked being a part of the Valente family. Growing up, she’d often been a little wary of Cesare but he was a good man and so were the others.

“Well, well,” the older man in question said as she came toward three of the Valente men sitting at the conference table. Nick was standing at the window looking out, his back to her. “You’re just in time.”

Sasha’s steps faltered at his tone. “I … am?”

Why hadn’t Nick turned to face her?

“In time for what, Cesare?”

“For me to have your father arrested for fraud.”

Sasha’s heart dropped to her toes.

“We’ve found out what he’s been up to. Did you think we wouldn’t?”

Sasha couldn’t find her voice.

“I can’t believe Porter thought he could get away with it,” Cesare continued. “Does he think the Valentes are stupid? And you were in on it, too, weren’t you, girl?”

She gasped at the accusation, aware of three sets of eyes upon her, but the eyes that mattered—Nick’s eyes—were still turned away from her.

“And I, fool that I am, wanted Nick to marry you. I thought you were perfect for my son.” He gave a harsh laugh. “No wonder Porter wanted you to marry Nick, and no wonder you agreed to the marriage. If it was all in the family he’d get that contract, no questions asked. Of course you had to say no first, didn’t you? That way you could dangle yourself as bait in front of Nick and—”

“Enough!” Nick spun around, his face taut as he glared at his father. “You’re accusing Sasha without any evidence. You don’t know she was involved in any of this.”

“Then ask her, figlio mio,” Cesare said. “Ask her, and then we will know.”

She watched Nick hesitate, and felt like she’d been slapped in the face.

He doubted her.

Then he straightened his shoulders and walked toward her. “Sasha,” he said, his voice quiet but firm, his eyes with a hint of pleading in them. “Please tell me you didn’t know about any of this.”

A moment crept by. The others receded into the background. There was her and Nick.

Only her and Nick.

And soon.…

She trembled. “I … I … can’t.”

He sucked in a sharp breath.

“Nick, I—”

His glare silenced her. “No excuses.”

“But—”

“This was your sick way of getting revenge, wasn’t it?” Disgust filled his eyes now. “Very clever, Sasha.”

“Revenge? I don’t know what you mean.”

“Remember that kiss in the gazebo? Remember how you thought I’d rejected you? You wanted to pay me back for that, didn’t you? You wanted your revenge.”

“No!” she whispered, her voice threadbare.

“Yes.”

At that moment, she knew it was over. He wasn’t prepared to let her explain any of this. He wasn’t even prepared to ask if there were extenuating circumstances, nor give her the benefit of the doubt.

And could she really blame him?

Giving a small cry, she spun away and ran from the room. It was over.

“I’m sorry, figlio mio,” Cesare said, coming up behind Nick and putting his hand on his shoulder.

“Not as sorry as I am, Dad.” Nick’s gut was one big knot of pain. He’d trusted Sasha. Trusted her like he’d trusted no other woman.

He should have known she’d let him down.

Cesare’s mouth tightened. “Santo cielo, I’m going to see Porter myself!”

Alex jumped to his feet. “No, Dad. We can handle this.”