Money (The Keatyn Chronicles Book 10) (17 page)

“
She is young, not ready to settle down,
”
he says, ignoring the
dumped
part.
 

“
And you are?
”

“
I need a woman. You are the only girl I have ever truly loved. If you will allow me another chance, I will swear my undying love to you.
”

“
You did that twice already, it didn
’
t take.
”

“
There will be no other women, Vanessa. Of that I give you my oath.
”

Bam is very sexy. Women all over the world desire him. There are websites dedicated to his folly both on and off the polo field. His sexy accent combined with his deep voice speaking the words I longed to hear give me pause.
 

How could they not? I loved him for most of my life, and after we broke up these are the exact words I needed to hear. Dreamed of hearing. That he would realize he needed me. Wanted me. That he made a mistake. That he didn
’
t desire anyone but me. And to hear these words now . . .

“
My father is dying, and I have also vowed to my family to stop my philandering ways. It is my time to take over his empire, an endeavor with great responsibility.
”

I don
’
t reply, so he continues.

“
As proof of my seriousness, I will be announcing my retirement from polo to the world very soon, and I need you by my side, my darling Vanessa.
”

“
I don
’
t mean to be rude, Bam, but you were having sex with someone else while I was in the hospital losing our child.
”

He dismisses my comment with a wave of his hand.
“
The past is the past. I cannot change what is there. I can only hope to repair my life so that our future is bright. The loss of our child cut me deeply. I regret not being there, and I
’
ve had to live with that decision. I am like my father, my mother says
—
raging hormones, too many for one woman
—
but she is wrong. I want to make it up to you. I want to have heirs with you. I was surprised by your pregnancy before.
”

“
We
’
d been married for quite some time. I told you I was ready to have a baby. You didn
’
t disagree.
”

“
That
’
s because I wanted for you to have everything your heart desired. That is still my wish. What do you want, Vanessa? Homes across the world? A new yacht? To be dripping in gold and jewels? Whatever you ask for, my darling, I will present to you on a diamond encrusted platter.
”

“
What I want is to understand why you did what you did.
”

“
Mentally
—
emotionally
—
I wasn
’
t there yet. Not ready for responsibility. Not ready to settle down. I am like a wild mare in my youth. I had to be broken.
”

“
And you
’
re broken now?
”
I ask, not able to help adding an eye roll.
“
The model dumping you did that?
”

“
I understand your reluctance,
”
he says, taking my hand.
“
Can we go sit down somewhere, have a bottle of wine, and discuss this?
”

“
Sure, let
’
s go outside.
”
I call to my butler, Bernard,
“
Can you please bring us a bottle of
—”

“
The Chateau Margaux, please,
”
he says, interrupting me.

“
I thought we weren
’
t supposed to drink that,
”
I counter.
“
Isn
’
t that the hundred thousand dollar limited collector
’
s edition?
”

“
It is, but this is a very special occasion, my darling. Our reunion is worth celebrating.
”

“
Bam, we
’
re not getting back together.
”

He leads me outside, his hand fitting into the small of my back and reminding me of so many occasions in ballrooms, private clubs, and restaurants around the world when I was so in love with him. When the luxury and royalty of it all was new. When I didn
’
t know the consequences of his love.

We sit in silence until our wine is brought.

After sniffing, swirling, and tasting, Bam declares the wine good enough to drink, so Bernard
pours us each a glass.

Once he has retreated and we are left alone in an uncomfortable silence, Bam raises his glass to mine.
 

“
Tonight we drink a wine that is considered by many to be priceless. I, myself, used to believe that it was, but I have learned the hard way that the only thing priceless in life, is love. Salud.
”

When our glasses touch, I see the pain behind Bam
’
s smile.
 

“
I will be honest with you, Vanessa.
”

“
That
’
s always nice,
”
I say, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.

“My father
’
s illness was unexpected. Until I was called upon to provide for my family, I did not have so much responsibility. I was but a boy playing a man
’
s game. Now, it is my time. I want to renew our vows. I will shower you with gifts and attention. We will have children. As many as you want. I pledge to be a good father. Our children will have everything. I know you need more than my words. You need proof. I will spend the rest of my life proving this to you.
”

He pulls another box out from his jacket pocket, opens it to reveal a diamond that belongs in a museum, and gets down on one knee.
 

“
Do you remember those weekends on my yacht when we were young? How crazy in love we were when we secretly wed. Darling, I
’
ve loved you since I learned how to love. Will you do me the vast honor of marrying me again?
”

Tears fill my eyes as emotions overcome me.
 

Vanessa
’
s Estate - Holmby Hills

DAWSON

After I beeline out the door, jump into the Ferrari I couldn
’
t have bought for myself, and drive off, I
’
m both pissed at myself for leaving and pissed at her for letting me go.

I know Keatyn is working late tonight, so I call Aiden.
“
Hey, you in town?
”

“
Yeah, just got back. What
’
s up?
”

“
Wanna go get a drink or something?
”

“
Why don
’
t you just come here. I can
’
t really leave tonight.
”

That
’
s a good idea, I think. I
’
ll drop the car off at home and walk down. Then I can drink.
 

And drink.

“
Is Keatyn home?
”

“
No, not yet. You
’
ll see why I can
’
t leave when you get here.
”

“
I
’
ll be there shortly.
”

“
Are you okay? he asks.

“
I don’t know,
”
I reply.

Aiden greets me with a pile of yellow fur cradled in his arms, a pale pink ribbon around its neck.

When I talk, the puppy looks up at me, licks my fingers, then yawns, and tucks its head back into Aiden
’
s arms.

“
You got a dog?
”

“
Yeah, Keatyn and I always talked about getting a golden retriever and since she
’
s decided to slow down with work and spend more time at the vineyard, it finally seemed like the right time. I
’
m going to surprise her tonight.
”

“
You
’
ve always given Keatyn thoughtful gifts,
”
I say, following him to the bar in the kitchen.

“
Well, I try to make them meaningful. I mean, any guy can shower a girl with jewels and expensive gifts.
”

“
Not any guy,
”
I mutter.

“
Can you do the honors, so I don
’
t have to put her down? She whines if I don
’
t hold her when she sleeps,
”
he says.

“
Already got you wrapped around her paw? Wait until you have a child.
”
I pour us each a glass of scotch.

Aiden beams.
 

“
What
’
s the smile for?
”

“
We
’
re expecting.
”

“
You are? Wow. Congratulations, man. There is nothing in the world that compares to holding your baby.
”
I think about my girls, knowing there aren
’
t enough diamonds in the world
—
let alone Vanessa
’
s closet
—
that would ever mean as much as they do.
“
Children are the ultimate jewel.
”

“
I can
’
t wait to experience that,
”
Aiden says, rubbing the puppy
’
s head.
“
Although, I will admit I
’
m a little nervous.
”

“
Just spend a lot of time with them and always let them know they are loved. They will turn out beautifully.
”

“
Says the guy who
’
s already been through the sleepless nights and the terrible twos,
”
he says with a laugh.

“
You
’
ll survive and forget how terrible it was. Now, I
’
m starting to have to worry about boys. And slumber parties. And mean girls. And soon, I
’
ll have to deal with them getting their periods.
”

Aiden takes a drink and shakes his head, looking overwhelmed.

“
One step at a time,
”
I tell him.

“
So, you seemed upset when you called.
”

“
I was at Vanessa
’
s. Have you ever seen her closet?
”

“
No, but I
’
ve heard about it. Jewels, expensive paintings.
”

“
You mean that Monet was real?
”

“
Yep.
”

“
Holy shit.
”
I run my hands though my hair and pour myself another drink.

“
What
’
s wrong?
”

“
She has everything. And I mean
everything.
Her ex came to her house tonight and pulled out a ruby the size of her fucking fist. I can’t compete with that shit. I can
’
t afford that lifestyle. I can
’
t give her anything like that.
”

“
Do you think she expects it?
”
 

“
You know what happened, Aiden.
”

“
Dawson, what do you like about Vanessa?
”