Vengeful in Love Read online

  “Still, raised by a man like that…” Alex shook his head. “I should’ve known you’d think nothing of sneaking around, spying for money. I want your resignation first thing tomorrow morning.”

  His eyes raked her, left her raw and bleeding. Then he left, slamming the door shut behind him.

  * * *

  Stumbling along the sidewalks, Alex let out a few choice words. He needed to call a cab. Even if he hadn’t been drinking, he was in no condition to drive. He was too angry…too emotional. His whole body was shaking uncontrollably.

  God. He hated her and the way her chocolate eyes seem to draw him in, even when he knew her for what she really was. He hated himself for wanting her despite all she’d done to him. He’d wanted her to tell him the truth. Everything. He would’ve covered it up. Pretended nothing had ever happened, no harm done. She would have had to resign, of course, but he could’ve still been with her, found it in his heart to forgive her.

  He hadn’t intended to tell her about the adoption, but when she’d ordered him to get out, acting like some kind of queen, something had snapped inside his heart. His face twisted into a snarl. Where were the damned cabs?

  He would ruin the Rodales and take the Halls down too, for good measure. He wanted them all to burn in hell, especially Natalie. That way, he’d have some company.

  * * *

  Breathe in. Breathe out.

  Natalie put a hand on her churning stomach and then, covering her mouth with the other, ran to the bathroom and threw up until there was nothing left. When she was finished, she half-knelt, half-sat on the floor next to the toilet, the cool porcelain under one elbow, her head in her hand. Finally she stood and stared at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her face blotchy. She began cleaning herself up.

  Your lofty father won you. On a bet. In China.

  Tears of frustration and anger welled in her eyes. All it had taken was an instant for her life to be completely destroyed. Her lover, her career, even her identity—nothing was ever going to be the same. For a time, despair threatened to overwhelm her. But then another emotion began to well up from deep inside, from the strongest and most resilient part of her. Slowly, then more quickly, anger took her over, pushing the despair aside.

  She wanted answers.

  She threw on some clothes and rushed out, her feet so quick that she almost tripped. Her car beeped as she disabled the alarm and climbed inside. The Halls’ house wasn’t that far, and traffic would be light this time of night.

  The halogen lamps over the highway blurred into bright orange streaks as she sped onto I-66, then the Beltway. The speedometer was close to triple digits, but she didn’t care. She needed to see Brian.

  Now.

  And then what? Could she accuse him of winning her like she were a…a thing?

  Her car lurched to a stop in front of the opulent mansion. A few windows were lit, including Brian’s study. Louise’s Mercedes wasn’t in the driveway. Good. Natalie didn’t want to deal with her right now.

  Natalie rushed to the house, still holding her car keys. She pounded on the door until it opened.

  “What are you doing here at this hour?” Belle’s eyes flashed. “Are you out of your mind?”

  “I just might be.”

  Natalie pushed past her and moved to climb the staircase to the second floor, where Brian’s study was, but Belle ran and got in front of her.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “None of your business,” Natalie said. “Get out of my way.”

  Belle put her hands on her hips. “You want to see Dad. You won’t bother to help out with the campaign, but you don’t mind coming over in the middle of the night. What makes you think you can just barge in and demand to see him whenever you want?”

  Something snapped inside Natalie.

  “Why should I be part of the campaign? You and Louise made sure I wouldn’t feel welcome anywhere around this family. I can’t even come and go freely here, because I had to give my house key back when I moved out! Seriously, you don’t really consider us sisters, do you?”

  She felt a small satisfaction as Belle’s jaw dropped. Capitalizing on her temporary shock, Natalie ran around her and up the stairs until she reached Brian’s study. She didn’t bother to knock, just opened the door and walked in.

  “Natalie.” Brian looked up from his desk with a hint of a smile on his face, the patrician forehead wrinkling up above his glasses. “What a surprise.”

  He was the only one in the family who indulged her infrequent lapses in social propriety. Was it because she had been won and he felt she couldn’t do any better?

  “Have a seat. What brings you out at this hour?”

  She closed the door but didn’t sit down. Now that she was face-to-face with Brian, she hesitated. There was the heavy smell of books and wood. His boldly carved mahogany desk dominated the area near the off-white bay windows, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves groaned under the weight of leather-bound volumes. This was his inner sanctum and the seat of his power, a place Natalie had rarely visited.

  “I was just about to have a nightcap. Would you like something?” he said.

  When she didn’t say anything, his smile slowly shrank. He stood behind his desk, peeling his glasses off. “Is something the matter?”

  Seeing the stolid bulk of her father standing there, Natalie knew Alex was wrong. He had to be. He must have said those horrible things because he thought she’d betrayed him.

  “Did you…” Natalie shook her head. “Tell me how you found me,” she said, her voice hoarse.

  Brian frowned slightly. “I’ve already told you that, sweetheart.”

  She stared at him. She knew his face as well as her own—the compassionate blue eyes, the mouth that could convey friendliness or steadfast resolve, depending on the situation. It was a perfect politician’s face, and looking at it, she decided that she would never be able to read it if she gave him time to prepare.

  “Did you win me on a bet in China?”

  A fine tremor went through his body, and his features seemed to freeze in place.

  “Oh my God,” she whispered. “How could you? You bought me?”

  Brian started to come around his desk. His hip hit the edge, and he almost tripped. “Natalie. That’s not how it happened.”

  “Then tell me!” Natalie put a hand over her mouth, horrified at how hysterical she sounded and how the life she’d known had been a lie. A wager won. That was all she’d ever been to the Halls.

  “My lord. I never thought you’d find out.” Brian looked at her a moment, indecisive, then went to a small rolling bar and took his time putting a couple of ice cubes into a glass. He poured himself two fingers of whiskey, the ice crackling. Still facing away from her, he said, “Your great uncle was an ambassador to China thirty years ago. I accompanied him because I was thinking of joining the Foreign Service, although the family was pressuring me to follow in my father’s footsteps and go into politics.” He turned to her. “Louise couldn’t come because she was sure that… Well, it’s not important.” He paused and took a swallow of his drink.

  Natalie’s lips twisted. She could imagine why Louise hadn’t wanted to go: she didn’t like any place that didn’t cater to her standards—that was to say, elite American standards.

  “I met a local man there. He worked in a restaurant many of the expats liked.”

  “My real father?” Natalie held her breath. “What kind of person was he?”

  “I don’t know if he was your father or not. But he was quiet. Compact. Intense eyes. Looked young for his age.” Brian swirled his drink, his eyes focused on the past. “We called him Chang, but that may not have been his real name.

  “Some of the Chinese resented our presence, but he was friendly enough. Showed me the city, taught me about the local customs. His English wasn’t good, but it was serviceable, and we became fairly close. He was taller than most of the others, almost my height, and I gave him one of my shirt
s as a present once.” He took another drink. “About six months after we met, we went to a bar. We had some drinks—too many, when I think about it now—and played some Chinese games. You know, mahjong, like that. He wanted to bet, said it wouldn’t be fun otherwise. And I agreed. Why wouldn’t I? I figured that I might lose maybe a hundred dollars at the most. It wasn’t that much to me, even back then. And if I lost more, well, it would have been okay. I knew the family would bail me out.” He shook his head. “Except they couldn’t help me out at all. The scandal…God!”

  “What happened at the game?”

  “I don’t remember. Don’t look at me like that, Natalie, it’s the truth. But the next day, an old Chinese amah delivered you to me with a note telling me I’d won and that Chang had to honor his debt. I was never able to find him again. He had disappeared.

  “I’m ashamed to say I considered leaving you behind. But our maid told me you would most likely end up dead or sold into a brothel. There were no adoption families; China’s one-child policy made it impossible. Even those families without children wouldn’t have wanted a girl.” Brian shrugged. “Knowing what would happen to you, I couldn’t leave you.”

  Natalie stood stock-still. There was just too much to process. It was as though she was on a movie set that she had thought was real, and someone had suddenly started moving the false walls away, revealing an entirely different world. It took all her concentration to listen as Brian went on.

  “I returned to America immediately with you.” He was looking at her directly now, searching for something in her face. “I couldn’t tell Louise what had really happened. Just the gambling would have been enough to… Well, I’d never have heard the end of it. I needed some time to think, and so I took you to Emily. She found a poor family that was willing to look after you for several months. Eventually, through intermediaries, I got you back and brought you home. I told Louise I’d found you in DC. The lie was so egregious that it was believable, at least to her. If I tell her the truth now… I don’t know.” He sighed, and his shoulders seemed to get a bit narrower.

  Natalie felt sick. “You should’ve told me.”

  “Why? What could it possibly accomplish? We raised you as our own.”

  Was that what he really believed? Was he truly blind to how Louise and Belle treated her?

  Brian had been the only one Natalie had really liked in her family. But now she couldn’t bear to look at him. She spun around and strode out of his study, only to come face-to-face with a deathly pale Belle.

  “Natalie…”

  Natalie felt herself go cold, as if someone had poured chilled oil down her spine. There was nothing to say between them.

  She pushed past her and went outside. The evening breeze was crisp against her skin. When she finally unclenched her hand from around the car keys, they were slick with blood.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “YOU’RE A MESS.”

  Alex jerked his head up. Ethan walked into the office and closed the door behind him.

  It had been a week and three days since Alex had stormed into Natalie’s condo, a week and two days since she’d returned the ruby choker and silk robe to him via FedEx. She hadn’t come to the office to pick up her stuff. Not that it had been necessary; she hadn’t kept any personal belongings there. It was as if she’d known that she wasn’t going to be working there much longer. Another sign of her guilt? Had he missed it because he’d been dazzled by her?

  “Thank you for your input,” Alex said dryly.

  “Not a problem. I think you should get to the gym more often too.” Ethan leaned into one of the plush office chairs. “And not drink so much.”

  “Keep it up.” Alex’s heart wasn’t in the banter. He looked pointedly at a pile of documents on his desk. “Did you want something? I’m kind of busy.”

  “Yeah, you looked real busy with your head on the desk there.”

  There was a knock on the door, and Eleanor walked in. “Sorry to interrupt, but have you signed off on those merger documents yet? I need to get them out today if we’re going to make the deadline.”

  “Thank you. I was just telling Ethan here how busy I am today.”

  “Fine, I know when I’m not wanted.” Ethan heaved himself up and started out, giving Eleanor a smile as he did so. “It’s like this sixth sense I’ve got.”

  “He didn’t have to go,” Eleanor said when the door was closed.

  “Yes, he did.” Alex rooted around until he came up with the documents. “Here they are. Is there anything else?”

  “Jennifer Beringer called about the new project figures for London. The last one I remember is five million USD. Is that still the case?”

  “It is, but the scope has changed. I’ll need to brief them on that as soon as possible, so set up a conference call. And I’m probably going to have to go out there myself next month. See what everyone’s availability is.”

  Eleanor nodded. One of her best qualities as a secretary was that she had a superb memory. Alex had never seen her take notes, other than occasionally in meetings, and she never forgot anything.

  He gave her instructions on other business, and she reminded him of an upcoming appointment. Then she left, and he concentrated on reducing the pile of paperwork in front of him.

  Half an hour later, he suddenly raised his head. He sat frowning at the wall for a few moments, then got up and opened the door.

  “Eleanor, how did you know what the figure was for London? Did Ethan tell you?”

  She turned on her chair and gave him a puzzled look. “No, I saw it on your computer. When I was in last week. Remember, you asked me to make sure—”

  He nodded, but he wasn’t listening anymore. “Thanks.” He started to go back into his office, then stuck his head out again. “Have I mentioned what a wonderful admin you are lately? Tell HR that I approved a pay raise for you. Ten percent, starting next month.”

  Eleanor’s eyebrows climbed out from behind the round glasses she wore.

  “And get Murchison on the line. He’s in Security.” He pointed at the phone. “Now. Please.”

  Alex shut the door while Eleanor was just starting to move. Back in his office, he paced, index and middle fingers on his temples. Up until today, he had felt like he’d been playing with half the board hidden from his sight. But now things were beginning to fit. Still, it was a bit too soon to do anything. He needed to have everything lined up before he moved. And Murchison could help him do that.

  * * *

  When Ethan entered his office exactly one week later, Alex smiled and stood. “Thanks for coming.”

  “No problem.” Ethan frowned. “You look…happy.”

  “I am.” When Ethan made a move to sit, Alex waved his hand. “No, no, stop. You’re going to stand right there by the wall. If you want, you can lean against it. Cross your arms. Right, just like that.”

  The frown deepened, but Ethan did as he was told.

  “Perfect.” Alex turned to the intercom. “Eleanor, could you get Danielle to come in?”

  A few minutes later, the door opened and Danielle entered the office. “Um…I heard from your assistant… I mean, Eleanor said you wanted to see me?”

  “Please come in,” Alex said with a smile. “Have a seat.” He offered her the chair Ethan had wanted.

  “Thank you.” She practically tiptoed inside and seated herself as though there were paper on the chair and she was trying not to wrinkle it. But then, she seemed timid all the time. Her eyes darted between Alex and Ethan. Both men were standing, wearing black suits. Alex thought maybe it was too theatrical, but the effect on her would be worth it. “So…what can I do for you?” she said, her fingertips on her knees.

  Alex rested a hip on the edge of his desk. He wanted to be close to her as he talked, without the bulk of the desk between them. “I’m thinking about taking Ethan out to a nice steak house for a special project well done. Do you know any decent restaurants in this area? Normally, I would ask Eleanor, but she’s not fr
om around here.”

  She looked perplexed. “Oh. Well, uh…The Palm’s nice. You know, the one by the Ritz? Or, um…Morton’s is also close by…near Tysons, and they always have wonderful steaks.”

  Alex nodded. “Morton’s, huh? What do you think about the one in Reston?”

  “Uh…it’s very good. You’ll never be disappointed at Morton’s. There’s one in Arlington too, if that’s, you know, more convenient.”

  “But Reston is the one you know best, isn’t it?”

  Danielle looked between the two men. “I’m not… Why would you say that?”

  “I hope Rodale paid for the meal. That Cheval Blanc alone—1998 vintage, wasn’t it?—was close to three hundred bucks. Unless, of course, you treated him out of the money the Rodales have given you.”

  She licked her lower lip. Alex made sure his face betrayed nothing.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. “I don’t… I haven’t been to Reston since last Christmas.”

  Alex shook his head. “Your best bet at this point is to cooperate fully with us.” He picked up a few photos from his desk and handed them to her. “Looks remarkably like you, don’t you agree? They were taken this Thursday.”

  Her fingers began shaking as she looked at the pictures. “I don’t…I don’t…. He said you wouldn’t find out.”

  “Uh-huh. Because Natalie would take the fall.”

  “How could you?” Ethan’s sudden question surprised Alex. “She’s been a fair boss to you, trying to bring you up as she moved up the chain of command.” Ethan hadn’t moved from where he was, and he hadn’t raised his voice, but Danielle flinched when she saw the expression on his face.

  “It’s not like that. I didn’t want to do it, not the NSA job.” Her gaze dropped. One fat tear started rolling down the curve of her cheek. “But he said she would be okay. Her father’s a U.S. senator. I mean, her whole family’s ambassadors, senators, governors… She’d land on her feet.”

  “So you framed her,” Alex said.

  Danielle’s head snapped up. “No!”

  “You let her take the fall.”