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

“He said a lot more, too. He’s very angry at me, Will. And I’m very angry at me. I put myself in this position and now my family is being punished for it. Please, let me lick my wounds in private.”

He nodded, but as he moved past her in the doorway, he squeezed her hand. “Wait here. I’ll come back and we’ll talk.”

“All right.”

He left and she shut the door quietly, then went to the chair he’d been sitting in and sank into it. He’d left his phone, and his laptop was on a small table, still open. He really did trust her, she realized. While she hadn’t always liked Will’s decisions or attitude, she could say this for him: he’d always been honest with her. Always.

He’d always displayed impeccable integrity and loyalty. But then, so had Stephen, or so she thought. Was she being foolish, trusting Will?

She leaned her head back against the chair and sniffled. She didn’t know what to say to her father. He’d been so happy when she’d announced her engagement. “I know he’ll make sure everything is all right,” Massimo had said. “He’ll look after you.” And in looking after her, Massimo had known that Stephen would ensure nothing would happen to Baresi. That was all gone now.

Her father had trusted him, too, because she’d let him. Maybe it was time to stop being angry at Stephen and take responsibility for her part in it. And that meant coming clean with her parents.

The timing sucked. But if anything happened to her father tomorrow, she didn’t want their last words to be based on a lie.

CHAPTER EIGHT

WILL STARED AT his brother. “So your answer is no. Even though I’ve given you the numbers that prove this could be profitable for us, and not an act of charity. And by the way, even if it were an act of charity, it would be the right thing. Aurora has done business with Baresi for over two decades.”

“My answer is no.”

“Because of your pride.”

Stephen stared at William for a long moment. “Why do you care so much?”

Will struggled to keep his face schooled. What he felt for Gabi wasn’t any of his brother’s business, especially since it wasn’t going to go anywhere. “Because she’s a nice woman who got caught up in a lot of stuff. Because she did the right thing in the wrong way, and now you’re making a point of punishing her entire family for it.”

Stephen’s expression darkened. “What do you mean?”

Will met his brother’s eyes and unease slid through his gut. In four years, he’d never really been at odds with Stephen. To be so now hurt, and he still very much felt like the younger, less wise brother. And yet he knew, deep down, that Stephen was wrong.

“You know I love you. But I can’t pretend that this whole arrangement was okay. I told you that at the beginning. I admire her for not going through with it. It shows an integrity that you didn’t, Stephen. And yes, she could have done it differently and caused less fuss. But you’re punishing her for doing the right thing.”

“Oh, my God. You love her.” Stephen cursed and wiped a hand over his face. “Ten days. Has it even been ten days? And she’s wrapped you around her little finger.”

Will tamped down his anger. “My loyalty is with you, Stephen. It always will be. It doesn’t mean I always have to agree with you. You told me when I screwed up. Well, you screwed up this time. Do the right thing here. Buy an interest in Baresi. It’s right for Aurora.”

“I’m heading back to Rome, and then home. And, William? Don’t issue an order for me again.”

Will’s heart lurched, hating that their relationship was suffering, and yet certain in his gut that his motives were in the right place. “If that’s the way you want it.”

“It is.”

“Fine. I’ll handle everything here.”

Stephen laughed bitterly. “There’s nothing to handle.”

Will went to the library door and held it open for his brother. His disappointment was profound. It was so unlike Stephen to be petty and mean. William had to believe that it was pain and pride wrapped up into one.

“If you think that,” Will said quietly, “I’m disappointed in you.” And just like that, their roles were reversed.

Stephen stopped at the door and met Will’s gaze. “Don’t lecture me, little brother.”

Then he left—straight down the hallway and out the front door, without saying goodbye to anyone. Why had he even come?

William wasn’t just mad. He was horribly, horribly disappointed in his brother.

Lucia came to the library door. “William? Has Stephen left? Did Gabi go with him?”