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

He let out a sigh behind her. “Dammit, Gabi, I’m angry as hell. I like you, you know. I think you’re a good person. I thought you two were making a mistake, but really? The day of the wedding, after everyone got to the chapel? Why wait so long?”

Tears pricked at her eyes. “I thought I could do it. Mama and Papa...they needed me to go through with the wedding. Having Aurora step in meant security for the business while my father is fighting...” She couldn’t finish the sentence. Even saying the word cancer sent a sick feeling through her body. “Now I’ve ruined it all.”

Afraid of losing her grip on her emotions, she went to the window and looked out over the city.

Daylight was softening, and she took a moment to breathe deeply and regain control. Then she turned around. “What happened at the chapel?”

“Stephen told everyone you’d fallen ill. It’s to buy us some time before we need to make an announcement about rescheduling.”

Alarm skittered down her spine. “Rescheduling? No, William, no... I can’t do that. No, the wedding is off. I promise I’ll pay back what I spent and...and...” And she thought about her ailing father going through cancer treatments, and how they’d stayed in Italy because he was too sick to make the trip for the wedding, and she finally broke down in the way she hadn’t let herself in the weeks leading to this day. What if they lost the company? What if...he died?

Large hands settled on her shoulders and guided her to the table where the coffee service was set up. She sat in the chair and tried to regain her composure. Will sat opposite her and poured himself a cup of the espresso. “Take your time,” he suggested. “I’m guessing you need to get that out.”

She looked up at him through eyes blurred with tears. “Oh, so now you’re nice?”

His dark gaze was steady. “Make no mistake, Gabi. I’m furious. But if you were upset enough to run from the wedding, I’m guessing there are some hefty emotions that need to get out. I’d prefer you do it now so we can make a plan without that messiness getting in the way.”

So not so nice. Instead he was a cold, arrogant jerk. Hah. And she’d always thought him the fun one, and Stephen the serious one. No such luck.

He took out his phone and tapped in a message while she wiped her eyes on a thick white napkin. “What are you doing?”

“Telling Stephen to keep up the story that you’re ill. And then I’m messaging your sister to tell her you’re safe. You left her behind, too, you know. In a strange country where she doesn’t know anyone.”

She wasn’t sure it was possible for a human to feel guiltier than she felt at this moment. “She has Marco with her, and a return ticket for Monday,” she reminded him.

“Yes, and they are now staying at our house. How do you think she feels?”

Gabi got up from the table and spun away, irritation flaring. “Fine, William, I’m a horrible, horrible human. Is that what you want to hear?”

But neither tears nor temper fazed him. “All I’m saying is that there are a lot of moving parts to consider. As far as the world knows, you got food poisoning and were too sick to attend the wedding. We’ll feed snippets to the press. And no one here will talk. I took care of that.”

She resented him even more now. The Pembertons had the money and status to pull all that off, didn’t they?

“Well, I guess you have it all under control.” Even if she’d wanted to, she couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

“Not quite. Making this work means keeping you off the radar and away from the paparazzi. And that means you packing your bag again. You can’t stay here.”

She laced her fingers together, trying to control the unease trickling through her at his tone. “And where do you suggest I go?”

“Not you. We. I’m not letting you out of my sight. So why don’t you order us some dinner while I sort out the arrangements?”

He turned away, effectively dismissing her. If she’d felt that her life was out of her control, she felt it even more intensely now. She was at the mercy of William Pemberton and his family. But she wouldn’t be forever. She’d make sure of it.

CHAPTER TWO

IT WAS DARK when Gabi showed her passport and then followed William to the Aurora, Inc., private jet. Of course they wouldn’t risk flying commercial and being seen. She was being escorted away like a dirty secret, hidden away until there was a plan to “deal” with the situation. The situation being her, of course.

She wanted to be angry about it. And maybe she should. But the truth was, this was a PR nightmare. And she was the one who’d caused it.

The inside of the jet was familiar, yet tonight she felt like an interloper. She’d flown in it before, of course. As Stephen Pemberton’s fiancée, she’d flown from her home in Italy to Paris, and Stephen’s luxurious flat there, and of course to London, where it was a short commute to Chatsworth Hall. Indeed, the plane had been fueled and ready for the honeymoon trip, a week on Malta.

She paused and William came up behind her, letting out a breath of frustration. “What is it now?”

“Sorry. I’ll take my seat. Where are we go

ing again?”

“To the château.”