Harlequin Kimani Romance September 2014 Bundle: Seduced by the Heir\Secret Silver Nights\Someone Like You\Indulge Me Tonight (66 page)

“I'm sure he will.” Tielle reached over to pat the woman's knee. “But he's going to want answers, and it'd be wise not to keep anything else from him.”

“There's nothing else,” Des swore. “At least nothing I'm keeping.” She turned wet eyes to Tielle. “Do you think he'll ever forgive me?”

Tielle's answer lay in the solemnness of her expression—potent even against the firelight. Desree bowed her head and began to cry.

* * *

Sometime later, Laura found Tielle alone in her office. The firelight had dimmed, and the embers were low yet fought to regain their former glory.

“How are you?” Laura joined Tielle on the sofa facing the fireplace.

“Same as everyone else, I guess.” Tielle's voice was monotone.

Laura nodded. “How'd it go with Mrs. Clegg?”

“Humph.” Tielle rested her face in her hands. “I think this'll be our first retreat where people leave worse off than they were when they got here.”

“Oh, I don't think so.” Laura bumped Tielle's shoulder with her own. “Faro's motives were probably misplaced, but now that this is out in the open, the family can move forward.”

Tielle reached over to squeeze Laura's hand. “I hope you're right, because right now I really can't see it.”

* * *

It was past midnight when Tielle overcame her nervousness and decided to check in on Grae. She'd seen most of the men who had rustled him off earlier in the halls or out for a stroll or drink at the terrace bar, and she hoped the time was right to speak with her ex.

She found the door apparently closed, but upon nearing it, she discovered it was ajar.

“Grae?” She eased into the room, finding it quiet and tidy. There was no trace of Grae.

“He's gone.”

She whirled around, finding Leo in the doorway.

“Maid already got the room fresh for the next guest.”

“Where?” Tielle could add no more to the question.

“My guess is back to Portland.” Leo stepped closer. “I'm sorry, Tielle.”

Her lips pursed. “I'm the last person you should be giving apologies to. You should save them all for Grae.”

Leo nodded, lowered his head. “I know, but it doesn't look like apologies are being accepted right now.”

“Will you give up?” she asked.

Leo smiled. “Never. I love that kid like he's mine. We've had disagreements before. Grae always cools off after a day or two.” He shrugged, looking uncertain. “I'm sure it'll take longer than a day this time.”

“Well, you're welcome to stay.” Tielle gave up a smile. “We won't close for the holidays until another week or so. We certainly aren't in any hurry to book our next retreat.”

“Thanks,” he said, grinning, “but it's probably better I head out. Some of the family left not long after Grae cleared out.”

“And Faro?”

Leo muttered an expletive. “Hopefully he's taken a one-way train to hell.”

Tielle studied the room Grae had used. “Do you think he'll give up on getting what he wanted out of this?”

“Not a chance. Putting this scheme in place was part of all the fun. He's been wanting to tell this for a long time. Now that the cat's out of the bag, he'll milk it for all it's worth. You can believe that.”

“And where does that leave Grae in all this?”

“Angry,” Leo said without hesitation. “That's the scariest part of the whole thing.”

Tielle bristled at the chill that raced down her arms. “Are you scared of what he might do to Faro?”

“I'm scared of what he may do, period. The man was a terror when he lost you. That's why Asia's so upset with you.”

Tielle was quiet as the image of Grae's cousin emerged in her head.

“It's not good for a man that powerful physically and businesswise to have anger issues.” Leo gave Tielle a measuring look. “When you left, folks were almost afraid to e-mail him, much less talk to him.”

“He came to see me.” She looked around the room again. “He wanted to talk about Faro using this place for the retreat and asked how I felt about it. He seemed calm then.”

Leo nodded. “You've spent a year apart. The time alone did him a lot of good, got him to see his fault in all this, but, Tielle, he was working off the assumption that you were right about Faro. That
he
was being unfair and should work harder to make things better between them. That's all out the window now. He's angry with Faro, but madder at himself for not listening to what he knew was true about his brother.”

Leo quieted, and Tielle used the time to mull over his words and wonder where she resided on her ex-husband's anger meter.

Chapter 14

A
fresh dusting of snow had settled during the night, but that didn't stop the retreat's guests from heading out early the following morning. The cook staff didn't need to bother with full breakfast prep, but they did supply the group with fresh coffee, Danish and bagels to provide a little nourishment for the day ahead.

Tielle kept to her office for much of the morning and didn't care if the act effectively labeled her a coward. She did busywork until the bulk of the group had set off. Armed with a mug of tea, she met Laura on the main porch.

“Think they'll recommend us to their friends?” Laura teased as they watched the last of the family clear out.

Laughter flowed softly between Laura and Tielle.

“So when do you plan to hit the road?” Laura asked once she'd sipped her tea.

“Humph. Trust me, I won't need to be bullied into taking a vacation. I'm more than ready to head someplace hot and sunny.”

“Sounds fabulous, but I meant when are you hitting the road to see Grae?”

Tielle looked down into her cup. “I don't think he's in the mood to hear from me right now.”

“I don't believe that.” Laura sent Tielle a sidelong glance. “Not after what I've seen this past week. He still loves you, Ti. It's obvious you still love him, but the man can't even seem to move when you're in his line of sight. I don't think a man
that
in love with a woman would want to be away from her that long.”

Tielle snuggled into the gray wool wrap she'd thrown on over her jeans and sweater. “This is about more than lost love, Laura,” she said while taking a seat on the porch step that had been cleared of snow. “What do I say to him about this? He's insanely in love with his family, and now this. I can't even imagine what's going through his mind let alone figure out what to say to him about it.”

“Maybe he doesn't need you to
say
anything.” Laura rested against one of the porch columns. “Just be there.”

Tielle cast a look at her. “You tryin' to get rid of me?”

“Not at all. Just trying to get you to do what you really want to be doing.”

“Right. And get rid of me in the process.”

Laura blew a kiss Tielle's way. “Take it how you want. Let me know if you need help packing.”

* * *

Leo sat on his desk, head in hands as he prayed for an end to the incessant traffic in and out of his doors. It had been that way since his return from the retreat two weeks prior. That morning's events had merely layered more frustration to an increasingly agitating day.

“Does he hate him this much, Leo?” Simon Clegg asked. He had been overseeing daily operations of the firm while Grae and Leo attended the family gathering in Canada.

Three Cleggs stood in Leo's office. One of them had brought the morning's paper.

Leo reread the story's headline: Clegg CEO Not a Clegg.

“What's he hoping to accomplish with this?” Gerald asked. “Our clients don't care what Grae's bloodline is, only that he's making them money.”

“It's not about money for Faro.” Leo sighed. “He won't be happy till he's got Grae out of the company.”

“He might achieve his goal.” Simon took the paper. “No one's seen Grae since the trip.”

“Why's this such a mission for Faro?” Wesley asked. “It's been years. Isn't there a statute of limitations on sibling rivalry?” He grinned at his brother Gerald.

Leo laughed. “Never, and Faro won't ever forgive Grae for having Ken's love.”

“But that's not G's fault!” Simon ranted.

“True.” Leo shrugged beneath his olive-brown suit coat. “But Grae's the only one left to pay for that, isn't he?”

“Well, Faro's mistaken if he thinks this stunt will get him back in the business and at the head of the table, besides!” Gerald swore.

“Remember, guys—” Wesley's voice softened “—Faro's had decades to stew in the unloved-child soup. Do we just put up with his antics till he brings the family all the way down?”

Again, Leo put his head in his hands. From that position he asked the most pressing question. “So who's gonna talk to Grae about this morning's paper?”

* * *

Finding Asia waiting to see her sent Tielle's teeth gritting the moment their gazes locked across the room. Starting her day with a high dose of bad blood wasn't what Tielle had expected when she arrived at her office that morning.

Tielle decided the moment had long passed for pleasantries. “I don't have the time, Asia. Actually, there never
is
time for dealing with your bull.”

Asia didn't appear stunned or offended by the insult. “I deserve that and more besides for the things I've said and insinuated to your face and...behind your back.”

“Gee, thanks.” Tielle rolled her eyes and settled behind her desk to boot her computer.

Asia was quiet, fidgeting with the cuffs of her sweater and smoothing her hands over the arms of the chair she occupied.

“I'd offer you something,” Tielle said as she got up to prepare her morning tea, “but I'm sure you have to get back on the road ASAP.”

“This is about Grae.”

“'Course it is.”

“We haven't seen him in two weeks.”

Tielle came down off some of her resistance. She returned the teapot to the beverage cart without pouring any for herself. “Is he in Portland?” Concern turned her voice faint.

“We don't even know that for sure,” Asia said.

“After what happened, the guys who took Grae back to his room. What'd he say to them?”

“Not much, um... He ordered them to let him go and...
handle
Faro.”

Tielle closed her eyes, understanding the word as “Grae-speak” for “do bodily harm.”

“Nobody knew he'd even left that night.” Asia's voice was thicker given the sob trying to claim it. “He convinced everybody he was all right and then...”

“Are you guys sure he didn't go to
handle
Faro, after all?”

“Doubtful.” Asia snorted. “Especially since Faro felt well enough to share his story with the press.”

“Faro,” Tielle groaned while bowing her head.

“This is a nightmare,” Asia sniffed.

“Did you know? About Grae not being one of you?”

“I'd heard things.” Asia shook her head. “Too young to understand them and then after a while I just didn't want to know. It doesn't matter.” She sniffed again and lifted her head to pin Tielle with a steady look. “Grae is part of this family, and being at the head of Clegg Marketing is where he belongs.”

“Is that why you're here?” Tielle folded her arms over the ribbed bodice of her multicolored sweater dress. “Because Grae's so good in business? Making you all lots of money? He keeps you living very well, doesn't he?”

Asia's temper showed signs of life. “We have loved Grae since before he could write his name or talk. We just want him in our lives.”

“And everything back like it was.”

“No, Tielle. Never like it was—not like it's been for the past year.” Asia left her chair and started to pace the office. “Grae's been living on the edge since he lost you. Faro's only gotten worse but with you there to—to keep the peace, keep his mind fixated and calmed by the...the love you brought to it...” She turned to face her cousin's ex-wife.

“Those of us who couldn't see that before, we—we see it now.” Asia slapped her hands to her generous thighs. “Of course me, being the most bullheaded of the bunch, I saw it last.”

Tielle raised her chin. “Why are you here? What do you want from me, Asia?”

“Just go see him.”

“Asia—”

“Tielle, please—”

“He probably despises me as much as he does Faro.”

“Not likely.” Asia pursed her lips. “Chances are you're the only one he'll open his door to. Even if he isn't there—we'd appreciate you trying, Tielle.”

“And what do you think I could accomplish?”

“If he simply talks to you, that'd be good.”

“This is funny.” Tielle shook her head, sending her thick ponytail bouncing wildly. “Pretty hypocritical for you to ask me to do something you gave me hell over when it came to Faro.”

“You're right we are, but it's like I said, we've been bullheaded. We just want to know he's all right. If you're the only person he'll ever talk to, then we'll live with that.” Asia moved closer to Tielle. “If you're the only person he'll ever talk to, then we'll
have
to live with that, but if you
do
talk to him,
please
tell him we love him and we never wanted this to touch him.”

* * *

“Tielle, do you know what you're doing?” she asked herself as she took another breath and then rapped the door knocker to Grae's downtown Portland condominium.

“Grae? It's me—it's Tel...” She jingled the keys in her smoky-blue overcoat pocket in anticipation of tugging them out any second. There was no answer to her knock, and Tielle gave it a few moments before heading back the way she'd taken from the elevator. She'd covered a few steps when his voice resonated.

“Since when do you give up so easy?”

Tielle had turned before Grae had gotten halfway through his query. “We didn't think you were home.”

“‘We'?”

“Your family's very worried, Grae. They haven't heard from you in two—”

“You're running errands for my family now.”

“No, I—”

“They came to you?” The barest hint of a smile curved his mouth. “They must be desperate.”

“They love you, Grae.”

“Damn right they do. They love me so much they couldn't bear to tell me who I really was.”

“Could you blame them when the circumstances were a—” Tielle stopped herself, bowed her head.

“Were a what, Tel? A disgrace?”

She shook her head. “You can't believe that!”

“And what would you know about it?” His tone was a soft roar. “Your family didn't lie to you your whole life—pity you because of how you came to be.”

“They love you, Grae.”

He rolled his eyes. “There's a very thin line between love and pity. Have you ever noticed that?”

“No, Grae. I never have.”

“Never, huh?” Grae stroked his beard. The silken whiskers had grown out noticeably over the past couple of weeks, giving him a more dangerous look than usual.

Tielle wouldn't let herself be unnerved by the fierceness she saw in his bronze stare or by the way his body heaved with barely harnessed rage.

It was difficult to see the full scope of the condo, what with the overhead track lighting over the bar counter being the only source of illumination. Clearly, that area of the condo had been receiving the most use.

“What?” Tielle queried in a sudden manner, having caught the tail end of the question he'd just muttered.

Grae rubbed at his jaw, trapping Tielle in the line of a repetitious raking stare. Then, turning his back on her, he went to the bar.

“Tell me about Brunch and Memories,” he repeated while pouring a straight shot of gin.

“Brunch and...Memories?” She was stumped. “What about it?”

“Well—” he paused to swallow the gin in one gulp “—you were...encouraged to get me there, right?”

“What the hell are you talking—”

“Des. She told you to make yourself available to me, didn't she?”

The way he phrased the question had Tielle's cheeks burning with the images of all the ways she'd
made herself available
to Grae during their stay at the cozy B and B.

Grae stood stroking his beard again while observing his emptied glass. “Guess you just had to offer your help.”

Despite his muted tone, Tielle understood what he'd said. “Grae, I did it because—”

“No need to explain, I get it. Can't go against who you really are.”

“Grae, I'm here now to check on you.” Heated by his insinuation, she jerked out of her coat and threw it aside, not caring where it landed. “It must've been devastating to hear what you did, but I can't see that shutting everybody out is what's best.” She moved closer. “It's all right to rage in private, but there's nothing wrong with letting everyone know it upset you. It's the only way healing and forgiveness can begin.”

“Forgiveness.” Grae pushed the glass aside. “Has it been so easy for you to get around to that with Faro?”

“I haven't seen him.”

“I don't mean since the retreat.” He leaned back, folding his arms across his stunning chest. “Have you forgiven him, Tel? Forgiven him for making you waste all that time pleading his case to me when I knew all along that he had no interest in a loving, brotherly relationship?” He settled back more comfortably and cocked his head at a curious angle. “Or maybe he'd already told you that? He always seemed to be able to confide in you.”

“You can't think...?” Tielle couldn't force herself to finish the question. Jaw dropping, she gaped at him.

“Did he tell you? Did he tell you what he knew about me?”

“I hope you're drunk because otherwise that'd mean you're just an idiot!” she hissed.

Grae pushed off the counter and didn't appear to be offended. “It's a fair question.”

“Fair in what way?” She watched him coolly reaching for the gin and shook her head dazedly. “Unbelievable. You know, Grae, with every other insane thing going on between us, I don't have time for anything more.” She turned. “Call me when you sober up. I'll be in Vancouver.” She was plucked off her feet before she got within touching distance of the doorknob.

“Grae—” Her breath caught when he wouldn't budge. He crowded her against the door, and she shook her head and bristled. “You're drunk. Get off me.”