Scandal and the Runaway Bride (Heirs to an Empire 1)

“It is not your fault, not even a little bit. I shouldn’t have left you there. I didn’t know what else to do. But William has been very helpful.” She gave her sister a stern look. “Please don’t breathe a word to Papa and Mama, okay? I’m going to fix everything, I promise.”

Giulia looked at William and her smile faded. “You were very angry the last time we met.”

“I was very panicked the last time we met.” He tried a sideways smile, and was gratified when her lips curved a little bit. “Thank you, Giulia, for helping that day, and for your discretion since.”

“She is my sister.” She said it as if it explained everything, which to William, it did.

“Mama and Papa think there will be a wedding in the future. I don’t want them to know any differently. Especially with Papa going for his operation. We can count on you, right?” Gabi pressed forward with the importance of secrecy.

William was surprised Gabi had used the term we. But he supposed they were in on it together.

“Of course.”

“How is he, really?” Gabi’s face fell with worry as she reached for her sister’s hand.

William stepped forward. “Why don’t you two go and get caught up? I’m fine here. I assume there’s internet I can connect to?”

Gabi nodded. “I’ll text you the password in a few minutes. And thank you. I’m really quite worried about my father.”

He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Gabi, that’s why we’re here. You need to be with your family. So go do that. I don’t need a nanny or babysitter.”

Giulia laughed. “I guess you don’t.”

For some reason that small joke made William blush, heat traveling to his cheeks. Gabi’s cheeks pinkened, too, and they couldn’t have that. Giulia couldn’t have any idea that there was an attraction between them. Every time they were within two feet of each other, it felt as if sparks lit in his stomach.

“I’ll come back and get you for dinner,” Gabi said, offering a small smile. “But if there’s anything you need, text. I won’t be far.”

“I’ll be fine. Go. Catch up with your family.” He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “If you keep your secret, I’ll keep my end of the bargain. Remember that.”

Her gaze darted up and met his evenly. “How could I forget?”

CHAPTER SIX

“GABI.” GIULIA’S VOICE held the kind of significance only a sister knew how to use. “What is going on between you and William Pemberton?”

Gabi fussed with a perfume bottle on her sister’s dresser. “Nothing. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not.” Giulia spun Gabi around with a hand on her arm. “We both know you’re not marrying Stephen. So did you leave him because of that very gorgeous man upstairs?”

“No!” She said it too loudly and tempered her voice. “No, of course not.” Instead she took a few moments to give Giulia the highlights. “In the end I couldn’t do it. Not even for Papa.”

Giulia shook her dark curls. “I’m younger than you but even I know that Papa would be furious if he knew you’d made such a bargain.”

“You won’t tell him, will you?” Gabi lost some of her confidence and looked her sister fully in the face. “I don’t think I could bear him being angry at me before his surgery. What if...?”

She let the thought spin out, and knew Giulia felt the same when tears filled her eyes.

“I meant it, Gabi. I won’t breathe a word,” Giulia promised. She sat down on the bed and patted the mattress beside her. “You are so...good. I feel like a horrible daughter. At least you tried to do something to protect the family. I never came up with such a scheme.”

“My idea flopped, so who’s the horrible one? Oh, Giulia, how sad is it that I thought it would be better to marry Stephen than have to run the company myself?” Gabi gave a little laugh, but inside guilt was eating her up. Giulia thought she was so good, but before Stephen arrived on the scene she’d been ready to leave everything for a man, with dreams of a wedding and babies in her eyes. She’d been a naive fool. He hadn’t been free for either of those things. And it had almost been too late. No, she wasn’t the good daughter at all.

“I can’t imagine stepping in.” Giulia worked in their human resources department. “Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

“I’m afraid of failing. Of letting Papa down,” she confessed.

Giulia reached over and took her hand. “I understand,” she said softly. “But you will do fine. You’re smart and strong.”

She meant the words to be supportive and