“Uh, yeah. But not right now.” He glanced at Ella, saw the worry and concern in her eyes and he squeezed her hand. “I don’t want to bring this to them tonight. Not like this.”
“I am so sorry. I didn’t know how to tell you. I only just discovered the news myself. I am in a state of disbelief.” Stasia was rambling, her expression frantic, her hands fluttering about.
Ella went to her, wrapping her arm around the woman’s—his sister’s?—shoulders. “Why did you choose to tell Rhett? I’m surprised you didn’t go to Alex. Or even Hunter.”
“The other Worth brothers, they intimidate me. You have always been friendlier to me, easier to approach.” Stasia pointed at him. “You don’t look so friendly now.”
“You’ve given me the shock of my life. How do you expect me to look?”
Ella glared at him before shooting a sympathetic look at Stasia. “Perhaps you can come to Rhett’s office first thing Monday and fill them in with the details of how you discovered this—shocking news.”
“Yes, yes, that sounds good. Thank you so much for your understanding.” The woman briefly clung to Gabriella, looking lost and…scared.
He was proud yet again of Gabriella in that moment. How she took over, took care of this woman who burst in on his party and declared herself his long-lost half-sister. It made no sense. Yet Ella acted as if this sort of thing was common, as if she knew exactly how to handle it, which she did.
How had he become so lucky to call this woman his?
She told him to mingle while she found the obviously distraught Stasia a cab. He walked about the party, greeting everyone, agreeing the perfume was a marvel, a shocking scent worthy of endless praise. All the while, he missed Gabriella. He believed he was in a state of shock himself. What the hell were they going to do about this new revelation? What would his brothers say? What would this do to the family dynamic? Would Anastasia Renaldi want a piece of the Worth fortune? Was she a complete liar looking to cash in on a fortune? Try and discover their trade secrets? Nothing was sacred in this business. Everyone was cutthroat and he couldn’t put it past her. He didn’t even know her.
Whatever might happen, he knew everything would work out eventually, as long as he had his woman by his side.
Finally, after at least forty-five minutes, Gabriella reappeared at his side, whispering she’d taken care of everything. Hugging her close, he led her to the same private alcove they’d gone to earlier with Stasia.
“What did she say?” he asked when they were alone.
“Nothing much. She rattled on and on and grew very upset and I had to calm her down. She told me she discovered this yesterday, during the reading of her father’s will. Giorgio Renaldi died only a week ago, you know.”
“I know.” The designer’s health had been bad for quite a while, so the news hadn’t been very surprising. “But how the hell could she be my sister?”
“She doesn’t quite understand it either. Her mother is in seclusion somewhere in Italy and won’t speak to her. Claudia Renaldi won’t speak to any of the family.” Ella reached for him, stroking her hand down his chest. “It sounds like a complicated mess.”
“Hell.” Rhett ran a hand through his hair, blew out a frustrated breath. “I need to tell Alex and Hunter.”
“Tomorrow. I think that’s best.” She smiled and drew him in close. “She gave me her phone number. She mentioned she preferred meeting first thing, since she’s leaving for Italy later in the morning.”
“She’s rather bossy,” he muttered.
“Well, that is a Worth trait…”
He sighed. “I can’t even joke about that right now.”
“I’m sorry.” She kissed him on the cheek, her hands pressed to his chest. Soothing him, anchoring him as well. “It’s going to be all right.”
“It will be as long as I have you with me.” He pressed a kiss to her lips, lingering, tasting. Savoring her. “I love you, Gabriella,” he murmured, overwhelmed with his love for her.
“I love you, too.” She wound her arms around his neck, nuzzled her cheek against his. “Take me home, Rhett.”
“Gladly.”
About the Author
Karen Erickson has always loved the written word. From being one of the best readers in her kindergarten class to penning romantic stories that never ended about her favorite band members (Duran Duran) in high school, she always wanted to write. It just took her a while to seriously pursue it.
With the birth of her third child came a realization—it’s one thing to talk about writing a book, another thing entirely to actually do it. She’s been published since 2006.
Karen’s a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband, three children, one dog and too many cats.
To learn more about Karen, visit her online: