The Black Sheep's Secret Child

“I promise.”

Trent pushed her to arm’s length and narrowed his eyes. “I think I need something more concrete than your verbal acceptance.”

She laughed. “Do you want it in writing?”

“Absolutely. I demand a legally binding agreement.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. He popped the lid and showed her a gorgeous diamond ring. “Will you marry me?”

The engagement ring blurred as tears filled Savannah’s eyes. Unable to shake her uncertainty, she whispered, “Are you sure about this?” Her breath stopped as he plucked the ring free of the box and slid it onto her finger.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

“Then, yes.” Giddy beyond anything she could imagine, Savannah threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. Crushed in his return embrace, she couldn’t stop smiling. “I love you so much.”

“You and Dylan are my everything. I never want us to be apart ever again.”

That brought up a logistical problem. “It’s going to be a while until that happens, with me here doing the movie and you in Las Vegas running Club T’s.”

“I’ve already got that covered. Both Kyle and Nate are in Vegas for the foreseeable future. Nate plans to get back in the studio, and Kyle has his relationship with my sister to save.” He put his arm around her. “I’m going to stay in LA and take care of Dylan while you’re working.”

That he’d obviously thought this through and was delighted with the prospect lightened her heart. Yet, she remained cautious.

“That’s all well and good,” Savannah said, appreciating Trent’s willingness to throw himself into being Dylan’s father, but unsure whether the new role would be enough to satisfy him. “But won’t you be bored without some business venture to challenge you?”

“No, because in addition to looking for space for a location for a new club here in LA, I have recently become part owner of a record label in desperate need of help.”

“You have?” Something about his self-satisfied expression stirred her suspicions. “You don’t mean...”

“Siggy sold the label to Ugly Trout Records. Nate and I now own West Coast Records.” Trent’s smug grin was difficult to resist, and Savannah found her lips curving in res

ponse.

“How?”

“Nate made Siggy an offer he couldn’t refuse.”

“But you and Nate are business partners in the club. Didn’t Siggy realize that?”

“We’re also partners in Ugly Trout Records. I helped him with the start-up five years ago.”

“Aren’t you worried he’ll find out you’re behind this?”

“Siggy is a bastard. He was so determined to keep me away from West Coast Records that he was willing to dump the company to keep it out of my hands.” Trent gave a dismissive shrug. “And anyway, it’s too late for him to pull out. The papers are signed.”

Savannah smiled as she imagined what her father-in-law’s reaction would be when he found out. “He’s going to have a fit.”

“Too bad. He should have done his research.”

“And now you own the company that should have been yours all along.” Savannah lifted on tiptoe and brought Trent’s lips back to hers for a passionate kiss that left them both breathing hard. “You are clever, talented, and I love you.”

Trent’s, his smile faded. “I never thought you’d look at me like that ever again.”

“Like what?”

“Like I was someone you believed in.” He grazed his fingertips across her cheeks and cupped her face. “Ever since I can remember, my father has told me I’m selfish and flawed. He said I would ruin people’s lives the way I had ruined his. While I couldn’t figure out what I’d done wrong, I accepted that he was right. In the end it became my excuse for the way I’d let you down.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “Every time I saw how I’d disappointed you, I ached for the pain I caused.”

“I’ve always believed in you.” Savannah had long known that Siggy was to blame for Trent’s commitment issues. “It was believing in us where I lost faith.”

An intense glow lit his eyes, transfixing her. “I promise to do everything in my power to make sure that never happens again.”