A Marriage Fit for a Sinner

Her father glared at her. ‘This isn’t the time for histrionics, Eva.’

‘And you, Sophie? Did you know about this?’ Eva asked her sister.

Sophie glanced at the lawyers before she replied, ‘Let’s not lose focus on why we’re here.’

Anger shot through Eva. ‘You mean let’s pretend that this isn’t really happening? That we’re not here because Father bribed the builders to take shortcuts and blamed someone else for it? And you accuse me of not living in the real world?’

Sophie’s lips pursed, but not before a guilty flush rushed into her face. ‘Can we not do this now, please?’ Her agitated gaze darted to where Zaccheo sat in lethal silence.

Eva stared at her sister, a mixture of anger and sadness seething within her. She was beginning to think they would never get past whatever was broken between them. And maybe she needed to be more like Zaccheo, and divorce herself from her feelings.

Eva glanced at him and the oxygen leached from her lungs.

God!

On Friday night, his all-black attire had lent him an air of suave but icy deadliness reminiscent of a lead in a mafia movie. Since then his casual attires, although equally formidable in announcing his breathtaking physique, had lulled her into a lesser sense of danger.

This morning, in a dark grey pinstripe suit, teamed with a navy shirt, and precisely knotted silver and blue tie, and his hair and beard newly trimmed, Zaccheo was a magnificent vision to behold.

The bespoke clothes flowed over his sleekly honed muscles and olive skin, each movement drawing attention to his powerfully arresting figure.

It was why more than one female employee had stared in blatant interest as they’d walked into GWI’s headquarters in the City this morning. It was why she’d avoided looking at him since they’d sat down.

But she’d made the mistake of looking now. And as he started to turn his head she knew she wouldn’t be able to look away.

His gaze locked on her and she read the ruthless, possessive statement of ownership in his eyes even before he opened his mouth to speak. ‘Eva has already given me what I want—her word that she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make reparations.’ His gaze dropped to the ring on her finger before he faced her father. ‘Now it’s your turn.’

CHAPTER EIGHT

‘HERE’S A LIST of businesses who withdrew their contracts because of my incarceration.’ Zaccheo nodded to one of his lawyers, who passed a sheet across the desk to her father.

Eva caught a glimpse of the names on the list and flinched. While the list was only half a page, she noticed more than one global conglomerate on there.

‘You’ll contact the CEO of each of those companies and tell them your side of the story.’

Fear flashed across her father’s face. ‘What’s to stop them from spilling the beans?’

Zaccheo gave that chilling half-smile. ‘I have a team of lawyers who’ll ensure their silence if they ever want to do business with me again.’

‘You’re sure they’ll still want your business?’ Her father’s voice held a newly subdued note.

‘I have it on good authority their withdrawal was merely a stance. Some to gain better leverage on certain transactions and others for appearances’ sake. Once they know the truth, they’ll be back on board. But even if they don’t come back to GWI, the purpose of your phone call would’ve been achieved.’

‘Is this really necessary? Your company has thrived, probably beyond your wildest dreams, even while you were locked up. And this morning’s stock-market reports show your stock at an all-time high.’ Eva could hear the panic in her father’s voice. ‘Do I really need to genuflect in front of these people to make you happy?’ he added bitterly.

‘Yes. You do.’

Her father’s face reddened. ‘Look here. Judging by that rock I see on Eva’s finger, you’re about to marry my daughter. We’re about to be family. Is this really how you wish to start our familial relationship?’

Bitterness pushed aside her compassion when she realised her father was once again using her as leverage for his own ends.

‘You don’t think this is the least you can do, Father?’ she asked.

‘You’re taking his side?’ her father demanded.

Eva sighed. ‘I’m taking the side of doing the right thing. Surely you can see that?’