The Billionaire's Secret Wife (The Pryce Family Book 3) (Volume 3) (25 page)

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Authors: Nadia Lee

Tags: #Romance, #Contemporary

BOOK: The Billionaire's Secret Wife (The Pryce Family Book 3) (Volume 3)

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And he loved her.

The awful things he’d said to her haunted him. His meeting Peggy like that had undoubtedly looked suspicious to Vanessa. He shook his head, angry at himself.
I should’ve told her about Pattington’s report first
,
discussed what I was planning to do
.
Gotten her input
,
instead of being high-handed and expecting her to accept my decisions
. He’d thought their marriage was doomed because she wouldn’t carry her weight, but it was his autocratic nature that was killing it.

* * *

Vanessa opened her eyes. The walls in her room were white…with scuff marks…and the air smelled of disinfectant underneath the heady scent of fresh flowers. Machines beeped and pinged, and the metal frame bed was…narrow.

She didn’t hurt all over anymore. What kind of medicine had they used? What about her baby?

A nurse came in and smiled at her. “How are you feeling?”

“Not in pain.” Vanessa licked her dry lips. She wanted to ask about Justin—had he come by? But instead she asked, “Is my baby okay?”

“Yes. Your baby’s fine. You sprained your wrist, and there were quite a few minor cuts—nothing serious—plus a blow to the head that gave you a heck of a nose-bleed. Basically, you’re banged up and you’re going to have raccoon eyes for a week or so, but you’re fine. We checked everything thoroughly.”

“Thank you,” Vanessa whispered. “What time is it now?”

“Ten thirty. Your brothers dragged your husband out to get him to eat something.”

He was here!
Vanessa sagged.
Even after I was so stupid
.

The nurse went on: “He didn’t want to leave you alone. I’ll let them know you’re awake.”

“No, let them finish eating first.”

“All right. Are you hungry?”

She shook her head. “Just tired.”

“If you need anything, all you have to do is press the button here.” The nurse showed her the call button and left.

Vanessa relaxed against the pillow and swallowed. Her baby was all right. Justin was here. Everything was going to be okay. She could feel it.

She dozed for a while. Then the door opened, and Justin walked in. She almost wept, her heart fluttering with relief. Mark and Iain followed, along with Hilary and Jane. Even Dane came. And her mother was there too. The only noticeable absence was Salazar.

Justin settled next to Vanessa and held her hand. Fatigue lined his face, but his eyes were warm. “I thought the nurse was mistaken when she said you were awake.”

She smiled, linking her fingers with her husband’s. “Nope. Awake and totally fine now.”

“Oh, thank god.” Ceinlys burst into tears.

“Mom, you’re going to cry now?” Mark said weakly, while Iain handed her a handkerchief.

Hilary and Jane turned to Vanessa. “We’re just glad you’re okay.”

“You could look worse,” Dane said, which Vanessa took as equivalent to her mother’s reaction.

“I want to go home,” Vanessa said. “Now. The nurse said I’m fine.”

“Whatever you want, sweetheart,” Justin said, kissing her forehead. “Whatever you want.”

* * *

Justin was somehow able to get her discharged so fast that they were on their way home within forty minutes. He was quiet as he drove; she held his hand, wanting the reassurance of physical contact.

He helped her get out and walk from the car. She gasped when she finally noticed her reflection in the mirror-shiny elevator door. “I look like a boxer. A boxer who just lost.”

Justin squeezed her hand. “No, you won. You survived. Besides, you still look gorgeous.”

“You are
such
a liar.”

She yelped when he swept her off her feet and carried her over the threshold. “Isn’t it a bit too late for this?” she said with a laugh.

“It’s never too late. Where do you want to go?” he asked, turning on the light.

“I want to sit on the couch. I’m tired of lying down.”

“Okay, but only for a bit,” he said. “You need to rest.”

She nodded. “Okay. Half an hour then.”

Her legs felt rubbery, and her knees had started aching. She’d probably banged them against something in the accident. She didn’t remember much of it.

“Do you want anything?” he asked.

“OJ?”

He returned with a glass of juice and sat next to her, taking her free hand. “Hey, listen…I’m sorry.”

She stopped in the middle of raising her drink. “For what?”

“The things I said. I shouldn’t have. And I should’ve told you about Peggy’s situation before I went to meet her.”

Vanessa shook her head. “I’m sorry I lashed out at you too. You were right; I was trying to make you pay for my father’s…indiscretions.” She blinked back tears. “When they took me to the hospital, I was so scared I’d lose you and our baby both. I was sure you wouldn’t want to be with me anymore.”

“Vanessa. I’ve wanted you since forever. I’m not going to give up on you over an argument.” He turned her hand over, running his thumb over the wedding band. He kissed her on the mouth gently, careful of her bruises. “I love you, Vanessa. I’ve loved you for years and I’ll always love you, no matter what.”

“I love you too, Justin. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to figure that out.” Then she shook her head. “Actually, I do know. I was too afraid to take a chance.”

“Do you think we can start over? I know you’re worried we’re going to end up like your parents, but I believe we can be better than our parents. And our child will be greater than us.”

This time she let the tears fall. “You say the sweetest things.”

“How can I not?” He put the glass of juice on the side table and took her gently into his arms. “We have the sweetest future.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

The singer’s voice soared as she sang “Cheek to Cheek.” The orchestra provided a romantic accompaniment.

The ivory hall was full of great food, drink and fresh flowers. In the center was a champagne fountain surrounded by ten layers of plumerias in full bloom. Liveried servers milled around with silver trays, making sure no guest went without the proper libations. Even though everyone in Vanessa and Justin’s social circles had wanted an invitation to the reception, she’d chosen to keep the event on the smaller side, with only the people who mattered most to them—their friends and family.

Vanessa had quit her job soon after the accident. Working ridiculous hours for clients chosen for their ability to pay the most money no longer appealed, even if it meant she’d never be a partner. Better to start doing something meaningful with her life. She’d told Justin about her non-profit and her wish to be actively involved in it. Without hundred-plus hour weeks, she would finally be able to give it the attention it deserved. He’d offered to fund it, but that had ended up being unnecessary. Not when Gavin Lloyd had been managing its assets. She’d heard that he had the Midas touch, but the amount of money currently in Just and Proper Help’s coffers was almost beyond her ability to comprehend. And it was all hers to help those in need.

Vanessa and Justin swayed to the song. Others came onto the dance floor, and Barron showed off some surprisingly fancy steps with Stella Lloyd.

Vanessa was almost into her second trimester, but she didn’t show much, not with the white empire-waist dress she was wearing.

“This is exactly how it should’ve been done from the very beginning,” Vanessa whispered into Justin’s ear as he expertly led her. “I should’ve never try to hide our marriage.”

“You had your reasons.” Justin grinned. “Only two things matter now.

“What?”

“One, our baby is doing well.”

She had to agree with that. “And two?”

“That you’re mine.”

She couldn’t help but smile. “I love you.”

He took her hand and laid it over his heart. “I love you.”

Epilogue

The man stood out on the sand, feeling the gritty scrunch under his toes. The weather was getting hot now—too hot, really—but he didn’t want to stay inside the beach house.

He couldn’t remember his name, but somehow he knew the house’s security code. It still astounded him that no one had tried to stop him from using the credit cards in the wallet he’d found in his pocket. They all bore a name he didn’t recognize, but—somehow—they were his. And so was the U.S. passport; there had been no trouble using it to go through customs in several different countries.

In the last few months, he’d visited the places he’d found stamped in the passport, hoping that something would jog his memory. Nothing did, but then again he couldn’t exactly walk around asking people for help. He apparently had a lot of money—it was obvious from the kind of clothes in his bag and the treatment he received at airports and hotels. If he admitted that he couldn’t remember who he was, he’d become a target.

Five men walked toward the beach. He watched them, wondering who they were. They didn’t look like locals. They were white, fit and had the hard look of professionals. There was a housekeeper who called him “mister,” but otherwise nobody had come to the place in the time he’d been there. A cold frisson of warning tingled at the back of his neck.

“Shane Pryce?” one of the men said.

Maybe
. “Who are you?”

“Dane sent us.”

“Who’s Dane?”

“Your brother. It’s time you come home.”

——

Thank you for reading
The Billionaire’s Secret Wife
. I hope you enjoyed it! The Pryce Family Series continues with
The Billionaire’s Forgotten Fiancée
.

Would you like to know when my next book is available? Send a blank message to
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What’s Next?

Coming up next is
The Billionaire’s Forgotten Fiancée
, featuring Shane Pryce. Please join my new release alert at
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Titles by Nadia Lee

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——

The Pryce Family Series

Book 1:
The Billionaire’s Counterfeit Girlfriend

US
::
UK
::
Germany
::
Canada
::
Australia

Book 2:
The Billionaire’s Holiday Obsession

US
::
UK
::
Germany
::
Canada
::
Australia

Book 3:
The Billionaire’s Secret Wife

US
::
UK
::
Germany
::
Canada
::
Australia

Book 4:
The Billionaire’s Forgotten Fiancée
(coming April/May 2015)

US
::
UK
::
Germany
::
Canada
::
Australia