Billionaire Bad Boys of Romance Boxed Set (10 Book Bundle) (107 page)

Chapter Fifteen

Keyonna felt ridiculous, her hair packed up underneath a baseball cap concealing half of her face and dressed in her most disreputable jeans and sweatshirt. Stepping down from the plane, she glanced at Nick as he too made his way down, a pair of dark aviators shielding his eyes. Not much of a disguise, but it had been all they could come up with.

He took her arm once they got on the tarmac. “We could be lucky and not get spotted by a journalist looking to make a scoop with photos. But if we do get to bump into any of those infernal paparazzi, then remember; you had to travel ahead to Italy without me. I still had some business to finish up. And after a few weeks, I joined you. That’s all you need to say.”

Keyonna would have expected a ‘no comment’ answer more appropriate to any curious, nosy photographers or journalists. But then she really wasn’t used to any kind of publicity so Keyonna decided to listen to Nick’s advice on how to handle paparazzi. But at the back of her mind, she still couldn’t help the niggling doubts. Had she really gone to Italy alone to wait for him? Why would she have left on her honeymoon without her groom? And had she really had to wait five whole weeks before he finally managed to drag himself from his business concerns to join her?

Her parents and pals were not much help; they were just as vague saying they knew she’d left but hadn’t been aware of her plans. And Keyonna knew she’d always been the type to value her privacy and she didn’t really go about blabbing to people. To date no one even knew she’d been blackmailed into marrying Nick – except maybe her closest friend Natasha. Keyonna suddenly decided that the first chance she got, she was having a sit-down with her old girlfriend. If anyone could help her get to the bottom of this, Natasha could.

Keyonna truly wanted to trust Nick and believe he would always act in her best interest, but she couldn’t help thinking he only told her what he wanted her to believe.

“Hey,” Nick said, breaking into her thoughts and squeezing gently on her shoulder. She turned to him with a somewhat guilty smile, only just becoming aware of her surroundings. They were in the back of the limo which had picked them up from the airport, and Nick’s smile was far more relaxed now that they were free from any unwanted attention.

“You were far away,” he added, and brushed off her baseball cap, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear as he gazed down at her warmly. “That’s better. It should be a crime to hide those beautiful brown eyes.”

Keyonna gave Nick an answering smile of equal warmth, berating herself once again for doubting him for even a second. He obviously loved and cared for her…why would a few weeks cut out of her life mean anything, when she finally had all she needed right here?

Nick had once told her he’d never thought of love as criteria for marriage. Oh, she remembered that much. But look at them now. The situation was totally different now. She really shouldn’t care either way what had happened in the past, so long as they had each other, right?

* * * *

Keyonna couldn’t help wincing in response to Natasha’s squeal of delight as both girls hugged tightly. Keyonna had just walked into the coffee shop where Natasha had suggested they meet to ‘catch up’ on things since the last time they’d seen or spoken.

“What on earth happened? No phone call, not even a text or email…where did you get off to? How could…”

“One at a time,” Keyonna broke in, laughing as they settled into their seats. First they ordered coffee and bagels, and then once she’d taken her first few sips from her cup of skinny cappuccino, she felt ready enough to say, “Okay, first question; a lot happened. But probably not what you might think. Nick told me how you guys were all worried when I left without him.”

“And without telling anyone!” cried Natasha accusingly.

Keyonna frowned to herself at that, but then went on after the interruption. “I’m sorry about that. But it must have had something to do with keeping the paparazzi off my trail or whatever. I don’t believe Nick wanted them to know exactly where we were going for our honeymoon. And well, to your second question: I was in Italy. Nick stayed back here to tie up some loose ends.”

“For a month?” Natasha said incredulously, shaking her head between gulps of her coffee. “Hmm girl, that’s not what we were thinking, believe me. When you disappeared like that, everyone – including me, thought you’d run off, dumping your husband before the honeymoon.”

“Perish the thought!” Keyonna gasped, laughing hollowly. But she was thinking, what the hell had given them that idea?

“And Nick,” Natasha went on doggedly, “Was almost dazed with anxiety. That’s why I’m really skeptical when you say the reasons you left the way you did. Especially when I know how things really stood between you two. After all, the man blackmailed you into marriage. Maybe you suddenly had cold feet or something even after the vows were shared. I was hoping you’d tell me exactly what must have come over you, and not feed me this cover-up tale. I mean, I know you suffered some memory loss from that accident – yeah, your mom told me about that. But as to the rest of the story you both cooked up, I ain’t buying it.”

Yeah, it did sound cooked up, Keyonna had to admit if only to herself. But damn, what could she say? She was still in a whirl just thinking that Nick wasn’t being straight with her, just as she’d feared. Why hadn’t he told her he’d been worried sick when she’d left? That had to mean he didn’t even know himself about why she’d gone. She must have left without telling anyone and this must have caused some major drama at the wedding.

Forcing her mind to think fast, she quickly let off a laugh. “Well, looks like you’ve got me there. I really shouldn’t have tried to fool you, babes. But then, how could I tell you the truth when it sounds so silly now? It’s pretty simple though: I was mad with Nick for getting me to marry him against my will, and I decided to teach him a small lesson, just to let him know he couldn’t have it all his way
all
the time. I let him stew for a little bit and then I called to let him know where I was. You can bet the make-up sex was explosive,” she finished with another one of those hollow chuckles.

Natasha smirked. “Hmmm. Well then at least, take the time to warn your parents first before you go pulling stunts like that. I’m not sure what Nick must have done to convince them, but eventually they returned home with deep reluctance. They were this close to calling the cops on that hunky hubby of yours.”

“I can imagine,” Keyonna said, smiling tightly. “But thankfully, I called them soon after to fill them in. Everyone was cool with it. I’m sorry I gave you any cause to worry, though. But anyway, I’m back, and I’m glad I’d already taken off time from my business or I’d have had some serious crap to deal with now that I’ve returned. All in all, I’ve been able to convince everyone who cares to listen that I never planned to cause a major scandal with my wedding. But phew…I never knew marriage to a billionaire was such a risky affair.”

Natasha made a face, and then laughed. “It has to be, when that billionaire’s Nick Vitale. I mean that guy was one of the most sought-after men in the country. Hell, he still is, even with that ring on his finger. So if I were you honey, I’ll watch out and not let any of those gold-digger home wreckers sink their fangs in him, okay? There are lots of pests around, believe me.”

And then Natasha paused, before asking mildly, “And speaking of pests, what’s up with Mark?”

Keyonna shrugged, sighing as she stared into her coffee. “I don’t know. He wasn’t at the wedding and I haven’t heard from him since. But I’m sure he’s well over me now, especially with little cousin Trisha.”

Keyonna stopped short, jolted by a fleeting memory crossing her mind – but then it faded away before she could grasp it firmly.

“You mean that brat?” Natasha scoffed, unaware of Keyonna’s lapse. “I haven’t heard of her in a while either. But then even from way back I could tell she had her eye on poor Mark. Only back then she was a pimply, overweight teenager with attitude. She’s shed some weight and the pimples, but obviously still kept the attitude. I ran into her at your wedding and…”

“She came to the wedding?” Keyonna croaked, and lifted a hand to her throbbing temples which felt like they were knotted in tight bands of steel. That niggling memory was back, but still no clearer. Why was this bugging her?

“Of course she was – don’t you remember? Oh shit, yeah, you probably don’t, what with your partial memory loss,” muttered Natasha apologetically. “To tell you the truth though, I was surprised to see you two having a conversation at the reception. I knew how you two didn’t get along when you and her cousin were heartthrobs. In fact, it was like you both were sworn enemies. I was dying to know what you both could have to talk about.”

Keyonna chewed hard on her bottom lip, telling herself she was dying to know the exact same thing. She had the damnedest conviction that it was very important.

“Anyway, she was the last person I saw you with before you vanished. I couldn’t help thinking right then that she had something to do with your disappearance. We were so close to declaring your ass missing that day!”

Keyonna laughed along with her friend, but the sound was weak to her own ears. Nothing added up, and she was done being lied to and having to lie to hide whatever must have gone wrong that day. It was about time Nick gave her some real answers this time.

*
* * *

Nick noticed that Keyonna was in a quiet mood when he returned home from work. Her absentminded kiss on his cheek was hardly the warm welcome he’d been expecting from his newly-wed wife either.

“You cooked dinner?” Nick queried, sniffing the air and inhaling the aroma of some delicious home cooking. Even with Nick being ready to maintain a staff of private chefs, Keyonna had insisted she could prepare whatever meals they needed. And any housekeeping she couldn’t handle, she ensured that the cleaning help only came around on weekends. Nick was used to having a full load of staff especially when he was staying here in his pricey open-plan mansion but he’d been only too happy to let Keyonna have her way – especially when he discovered his woman could cook up a storm in the kitchen.

Never would he have pictured himself much of the domesticated male, but Keyonna had him wanting to come home earlier, and cut down as much on his travelling and work load as he could. She had her own thing going on with her business, but when she was home he always liked the thought of his hot wife waiting with an equally hot meal when he got back.

“Yes; I decided to try out some of those seafood recipes you like.”

“Sounds delicious,” he said as she walked on ahead of him, her hips in those white jeans swaying unconsciously and giving him ideas that had nothing to do with dinner. That and the sliver of sexy skin showing in between her waistband and her matching white crop blouse.

But Nick wasn’t so insensitive not to tell his little treasure was far from being in a happy mood. Grabbing her gently by her slim waist, he drew her close and then turned her round to face him.

“What’s wrong,
tesoro?
” he asked softly, cupping her face and quelling her to meet his searching gaze.

She sighed deeply, her thick black lashes fluttering low. “I’m so afraid, Nick,” she breathed, and instantly his throat constricted. She continued worriedly, “I don’t know what or who to believe anymore. I can’t figure anything out. I just can’t.”

Nick could only draw her into his embrace, tucking her face underneath his chin as he squeezed his arms tightly around her for a few moments, wishing to transmit his strength, his assurance. 

But then with her cheek resting against his chest, he heard her ask softly, “Was everything you told me the truth, Nick? About why I went away?”

With an inward sigh, Nick let her draw back from him. He should have known his story wouldn’t hold. Keyonna was no fool; and he shouldn’t have lied to her, no matter the reason.”

“No,” he replied, shoving his fingers back through his hair and flinching at her look of distress. “The truth is, you ran off on our wedding day; during the reception. One minute you were there and the next…”

He expelled a deep breath and turned to face the window overlooking the moonlit gardens beyond.

“I never understood why you did it. Yes, in the start it was meant to be just a business arrangement – one I had to pressure you into. But as time went on I began to think things had taken a different turn – and that it wasn’t all just a cold-hearted agreement. I felt it – you felt it. Even though neither one of us ever came right out and said it. At the wedding…damn. You looked like a vision. Beautiful, your eyes shining with warmth at me. I could hardly stop staring at you, wanting to sweep you away the first chance I got. I couldn’t wait to finally get you alone and…”

Nick turned to face her again, expressionless. “Whatever your reasons, you left me. You made me look like a fool and I couldn’t help wondering if that had been your plan all along; to hurt me for forcing you into marriage. I didn’t know what to think, and it took five weeks before I found you again – which happened purely by luck.”

Keyonna was staring at him. “You mean I was there for five whole weeks?”

Nick’s voice turned bleak as he turned away once more. “Five whole torturous weeks for me. I feared the worst. Kidnapping, murder. It was when I realized you’d left of your own free will that I started to get mad. I wanted to find you at all cost and make you pay for all the suffering you caused me. But then on the flight over, all I could think of was how I could win you back, convince you that I wasn’t some hard-hearted, single-minded bastard who cared only about some damned inheritance. When I saw you get run down by that motorbike…it was then I finally realized how close I’d come to losing the most important person in my life.”