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

“I wanted a chance to talk to you alone. I wasn’t sure William would let me, he’s so protective. Though I can understand that, considering his motives.”

She frowned. “Motives? You mean not leaving me to the wolves? You said what you needed to say at the villa, Stephen.” She started to walk away, but Stephen’s voice called her back.

“He’s using you.”

She turned back, angry that he would try to drive a wedge between them. “William has been nothing but wonderful, even while his family has shunned him because of it.”

“He doesn’t want you. Why do you think I turned down his plan? At least I was honest about what I wanted out of our...alliance. Will is making you think he’s in love with you, when what he wants is control of Baresi.” He stepped away from the wall. “I said no to the acquisition to protect you, not punish you.”

Gabi stared at him. It wasn’t true. She didn’t believe him. “This is sour grapes, and so beneath you, Stephen. We were friends once.”

His gaze sharpened. “Yes, we were.”

Nausea rolled in her stomach again, and it had little to do with the rich sauce she’d eaten earlier. It was the tiniest bit of doubt. “You’re wrong.”

But in the back of her mind she was thinking about all the things she’d told Will. He’d been supportive in his comments but hadn’t really offered firm advice. She’d told him about clients they’d lost, their financial situation, how new clients were hard to come by...all the information he’d need if he wanted to move in and make an offer.

No. She would not believe it of Will.

But then, she’d believed a lot of things. She’d believed Luca wanted to marry her and have a family. She’d believed in Stephen, too, and while his words were causing her great concern, she realized she didn’t trust him. What if he was right about Will? Her father had put Baresi in her hands. He’d trusted her with everything. Had she misplaced her trust by trusting William? And then she thought back to all the times when her gut had said she maybe shouldn’t trust Will, and she wondered if she might be sick. What if her intuition had been right?

“Be careful, Gabi.”

“I don’t believe you. You haven’t even told your own family the truth of our engagement.”

He stepped forward then, holding her gaze. “You know I don’t let people into my intimate business.”

“You’re letting them think I’m with Will for his money.”

“You’re really in love with him. God, he’s played this perfectly.”

Her heart took the hit. She didn’t want to believe it, but she’d been played before. She would be a fool to not consider the possibility now. Not with so much at stake.

She should have been talking to her father about the business, not Will. Fear clogged her throat.

“Please think about it, Gabriella.”

He walked away then, as nonchalantly as ever, in his perfectly tailored tuxedo. She had trusted him and he had done nothing to break that trust, really. She had been the one to run from their wedding. At the villa he’d been angry and hurt and humiliated. And rude, but...to her knowledge, he’d never outright lied.

Stephen was gone when Will came around the corner, his face wreathed in concern. “Are you all right? You’ve been gone a long time.”

She wanted to cry. She loved him, she did. She didn’t want to believe what Stephen had said, but he’d planted the damned seed and she couldn’t help herself. “I’m not feeling very well, it turns out,” she replied. “I was going to find you and make my excuses. I think dinner was a little too rich.”

“Are you sick?”

She bit down on her lip. “Close.”

“Of course. We can leave the party now.”

“Not both of us. Just me, William. You should stay. It’s your mother’s birthday.”

“Then I’ll follow shortly, after saying my goodbyes.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “You’re cold,” he murmured.

“I’m fine. I just need to lie down.”

“I’ll be right along, I promise.” The concern on his face scored her heart. Why, why had Stephen made her doubt even the smallest bit?

He squeezed her hand before turning away. “Go put on something cozy and rest,” he advised. Then he met her gaze again. “I love you, Gabi.”