The Tycoon's Secret Affair (The Anetakis Tycoons #3)(45)

Marley sighed and glanced over at Bella.

“I might have helped her get a place in Miami,” Bella hedged.

Chrysander’s eyebrows went up. “But isn’t that where…”

Marley shot him another furious glance.

“Where in Miami?” Piers said, ignoring the exchange between Marley and Chrysander.

“If you go down there and upset her again, I’ll personally sic every member of Theron’s security team on you,” Bella threatened.

“Just tell me, Bella. Please. I need to see her again. I need to make sure she and the baby are all right.”

“When I spoke to her yesterday, they were just fine,” Marley said casually.

“It would appear that you and Bella have been very busy women,” Chrysander said darkly.

Marley sniffed. “If things were left to you men, the world would be a disaster.”

“I think we’ve been insulted,” Theron said dryly.

Bella thrust the piece of paper she’d been writing on toward Piers. “Here’s her address. She trusted me, Piers. Don’t screw this up.”

Piers hugged her quickly and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you. I’ll bring her back for a visit as soon as I can.”

Jewel smoothed her hand over Eric’s hair as he slept and smiled at how peaceful and innocent he looked. Tucking his blanket around him, she turned to tiptoe from his bedroom.

Once in the kitchen, she prepared a cup of decaf tea and sipped the soothing, warm brew.

Her arrival in Miami couldn’t have come at a better time. Eric had been taken from his previous home and was awaiting placement along with several hundred other children. It had taken several days to complete the paperwork, have the home study and background checks, but Eric was finally hers.

At first he’d been silent and restrained. No doubt he thought his placement with her was as temporary as all his other ones. She didn’t try to persuade him any differently. It would take time to win his trust.

The important thing was that he had a home now. Thanks to Bella’s generosity, they both had a home.

After checking on Eric one last time, she went into the living room and settled into her favorite chair. Nights were difficult, when all was silent. She missed Piers and the easy companionship they’d developed.

She had nearly dozed off in her chair when the doorbell rang. She got up quickly so it wouldn’t disturb Eric and went to look out the peephole. No one knew her here, and she was wary of anyone knocking on her door. Surely Social Services wouldn’t pay a surprise visit at this time of night.

What she saw shocked her to the core.

Piers. Outside her door, looking worried and a little haggard.

With fumbling fingers, she unlocked the deadbolt and opened the door a crack.

“Jewel, thank God,” he said. “Please, can I come in?”

Her grip tightened on the door as she stared through the crack. Anger, pain—so much pain—surged through her veins. What could he possibly have to say to her that hadn’t already been said?

She steeled herself, opened the door just enough that she could see him and he could see her.

“I won’t ask how you found me. It isn’t important.”

He started to interrupt, holding up one hand in a plea, but she shook her head.

“No, you’ve said enough. I let you say all those things, and I took it, but I don’t have to now. This is my home. You have no rights here. I want you to leave.”

Something that looked suspiciously like panic spasmed in his eyes.

“Jewel, I know I don’t deserve even a moment of your time. I said and did unforgivable things. I wouldn’t blame you if you never spoke to me again. But please, I’m begging you. Let me in. Let me explain. Let me make things right between us.”

The sheer desperation in his voice unsettled her. She wavered on the brink of indecision, her anger warring with the desire to relent and let him through the door. He stared at her with tortured eyes and slowly, she stepped back and opened the door wider.

He was inside in an instant. He gathered her in his arms and buried his face in her hair.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, yineka mou.”

He kissed her temple, then her cheek and then clumsily found her lips. He kissed her with such emotion that it staggered her.

“Please forgive me,” he whispered. “I love you. I want you and our baby to come home.”

She pulled away, holding onto his arms for support. “You believe she’s yours?” She couldn’t keep the bitterness or suspicion from her voice.

“I don’t care who the biological father is. She’s mine. Just as you are mine. We’re a family. I’ll be a good father, I swear it. I love her already, and I want us to be a family, Jewel. Please say you’ll give me another chance. I’ll never give you any reason to leave me again.”

He gathered her hands in his, holding them so tightly that she was sure her fingers were bloodless.

“I love you, Jewel. I was wrong. So wrong. I don’t deserve another chance, but I’m asking—no begging—for one because there’s nothing I want more than for you and our daughter to come home.”

She stood there, mouth wide open, trying to process everything he flung at her. He loved her. He still didn’t think he was the father. He didn’t care if he wasn’t the father. He wanted her and the baby back.