Keeping Her Guilty Secret (Forever Yours Trilogy) (11 page)

Chapter 19

Dressed in her wedding gown, Ashley stood on a pedestal while Nicole knelt beside her, making last-minute alterations. The pounding on the closed door startled her and she shoved a pin into her thumb. “Damn it.”

“I’m not going to accept this, Nicole.”

She sighed. “That’s your choice, but I’m still leaving, Reed.”

“Let me come in and we’ll talk about it.”

“You can’t come in. I’m in my dress and I don’t want you to see it yet,” Ashley said.

“I’m sorry, honey, but this is too important.”

Nicole went to the door and turned the lock. “You can’t come in, Reed. And we don’t have anything to discuss. I’m not going to change my mind.”

Ashley frowned. “What’s going on? Why is Reed angry with you?”

“She quit. And I can’t seem to talk any sense into her. You don’t have to do this, Nicole. It won’t solve anything.”

“Why are you quitting? I don’t understand. I thought you liked working for Reed. What’s happened?”

Nicole sighed. “It’s a long story. And I’ll tell you all of it but first let me finish what I’m doing here.”

“I know how upsetting it was for you to hear Max make those horrible accusations,” Reed continued. “Do you really think I believed what he said?”

“Max believes the worst. Why wouldn’t you?”

“Max is an idiot. I’m sure when he calms down, he’ll realize he’s made a terrible mistake and—”

“There
is
no mistake.”

Ashley stepped off the pedestal and folded her hands across her chest. “We’ll talk now.”

Nicole sighed and began undoing the buttons on the back of the dress. “We’ll be down in a few minutes, Reed.”

Ashley stepped out of the gown and put on her jeans and shirt while she placed the gown on the dressmaker’s dummy, and then they descended the stairs to the living room together.

Reed leaned forward from his place on the couch and handed her the same envelope she’d given him earlier. “I am not going to accept this. Did you honestly think I would?”

“I assumed Max would insist.”

“It isn’t his decision, and I don’t want you to leave.”

Ashley glanced at Reed and back at Nicole. “What’s going on?”

The front door opened and Max strode in.

The breath caught in Nicole’s throat. He’d come back. A good sign.
Right?

He stood at the opposite end of the room, as far away as possible, and glowered down at her.

Okay, she deserved his animosity considering she’d lied to him, because bottom line, that was what she’d done. She’d kept the truth from him and her reasons didn’t matter at this point.

But he was here and he was listening and maybe when he heard the whole story they could work things out?

She took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and faced her sister. “To make a long story short, I got arrested for smuggling drugs into the country six years ago.” She cast a quick glance in Max’s direction but his expression gave nothing away. “It happened when I worked for Christina D’Agata in New York.”

Ashley sat quietly for a long moment and then burst out laughing. “Ha-ha, very funny. Now, tell me what really happened.”

She sighed, not surprised Ashley didn’t believe her. “I had just gotten back from a trip to the factories down in Mexico. Federal agents were waiting at the airport for me when I arrived. They’d gotten a tip there’d be a shipment of cocaine hidden in the rolls of fabric I’d purchased.”

Ashley’s eyes widened. “You’re not kidding, are you?”

“No.”

Ashley shook her head. “You need to start from the beginning because I don’t understand how this could have happened.”

“I met Carlo, Christina’s business partner, a short time after I started working for her. We hit it off right from the start and after a few weeks he suggested I start accompanying him on buying trips for the fabrics Christina needed. We visited the factories in Mexico every other week.

“I didn’t realize it at the time, but Carlo had been hiding cocaine in with our purchases. The factory would package the rolls of textiles. We’d check them through as luggage and pick them up at baggage claim when we arrived home.

“On the last trip I made, the authorities arrested me the minute I picked up the parcels from the luggage carousel. I spent two weeks in jail and—”

“Two weeks?” Reed said.

Max flinched, but didn’t say anything so she continued. “The authorities wanted to hold me for as long as possible. They’d been tracking the cartel in Mexico for a long time, but had no idea who headed the operation here in the US. They convinced the judge I’d flee the country. He refused to grant bail and they continued questioning me, but I couldn’t provide the names they needed.”

Ashley’s eyes widened. “That was you?”

Nicole frowned. “What do you mean?”

Ashley scooted forward in the chair and leaned on her elbows. “I remember overhearing Mom and Dad talking late one night. It was right before you came home. Dad was upset with the lawyer because he didn’t do enough. He wanted to hire someone new but couldn’t because he had no money. I figured he was talking about the lawsuit he filed against—”

Nicole grimaced. “What lawsuit?”

“I never knew the details, only that he filed a lawsuit against the financial advisor he used after discovering the counselor had stolen a huge sum of money.”

No wonder they’d barely spoken to her after her release. They’d scraped together every cent of their savings to bail her out of the mess she’d gotten herself into. Her cheeks burned. “What an idiot I am.”

“You have nothing to be ashamed of,” Reed said. “You had no idea what Carlo was up to.”

“Contrary to popular belief, ignorance is not a legal excuse. The authorities arrested me and continued to hold me, even after they’d arrested Carlo. If it weren’t for my attorney, who got the charges reduced for a first time offense, I would have gone to jail. I’m still not sure how he managed it.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Ashley asked. “How could you not?”

“Do you have any idea what it’s like to be locked up?” she asked quietly. “You have no rights. They stick you in a tiny cell where you sit for days on end. And the privacy you take for granted . . . Gone. Cameras watch your every move. So forgive me if I didn’t stick around for explanations. Frankly, I didn’t care. The minute the police released me, I caught the first flight back to Chicago.”

Reed frowned. “How is it that you wound up going on that particular trip? Don’t you find it odd the FBI just happened to receive a tip you’d be bringing drugs back with you?”

She shook her head. “I know what you’re thinking. Somehow Carlo found out the authorities were on to him and he set me up to take the fall.”

Reed nodded.

“I have to admit the thought crossed my mind after I found out what he’d been doing, but as much as I want to blame him, I don’t think he had anything to do with it. You see, I wasn’t even supposed to be in New York that day. I’d come home to try and mend the rift that had developed between me and my parents after I quit school to work for Christina. Unfortunately, things didn’t go well and I flew back to New York the next morning.

“Carlo had planned to make the trip alone. He’d even purchased the ticket. I only went at the last minute because we had a major problem in the warehouse with some orders that needed to ship but didn’t.”

“It still seems fishy to me,” Reed said.

“What does any of this have to do with why you’ve quit your job?” Ashley asked.

“How do you think Reed’s clients will react when they learn he’s hired someone who’s been arrested for smuggling drugs?”

“How would they find out?” Ashley countered.

She glanced up, but again Max’s expression gave nothing away. “Carlo will tell them. He got out of prison a few weeks ago and has been causing trouble for me ever since. He’s the person who mugged me and caused the car accident.” He’d gone after Kate, too, and if she stayed at Paradis and McNamara he could make trouble for Reed.

The soft
snick
and
click
of the front door had her gaze darting to where Max stood moments earlier. Her heart sank. The truth hadn’t swayed him in the least. He still believed the worst of her.

Reed grunted. “I don’t want you to resign.”

And you’ll regret saying that when you lose clients because of me
, she thought miserably. “I’m not going to change my mind.”

Chapter 20

Nicole wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and watched Ashley sink into Reed’s arms. They glided around the dance floor as husband and wife.

“Are you okay?” Kate asked quietly.

Nicole smiled. “Yes, I just wish Mom and Dad could have been here. They’d be so proud of Ashley.”

“They’d be proud of you, too.”

She shook her head.

“You’ve got to stop beating yourself up, Nicole. You put your trust in the wrong person and paid for it dearly, but that doesn’t mean you have to keep paying for the rest of your life. Look what you’ve accomplished since then. You’ve taken excellent care of Ashley and me for the last six years, you went back to school and finished your degree, and you’ve got a great job.”

Kate raised her eyebrows challengingly when Nicole frowned.

“You quit. Reed didn’t fire you, and he’s been nothing but supportive since you explained what happened. How long are you going to keep punishing yourself for making one stupid mistake? If you don’t want to continue working for Reed, why don’t you pick up your fashion design career?”

“No, I can’t.” That was the past. She’d cut her ties with Christina and the contacts in New York after her release from prison.

Kate nodded. “Yes, you can. Look at Ashley’s dress. Everyone’s been talking about how gorgeous it is. As a matter of fact, the wife of one of Reed’s clients begged Ashley for your name and number to give to her niece who’s getting married in the fall. You’ve got the talent, now all you need is the courage to go after your dream.”

Have courage. Go after your dream. Stop punishing yourself.
Kate’s words played over and over in her head. She made it sound easy.

It is easy
, the voice inside her stated.
The only one holding you back is
you
.

Across the room, Max stood chatting with another wedding guest. He’d tried talking to her at the rehearsal dinner last night, but she hadn’t listened. As far as she was concerned, there’d been nothing left to say. He’d made his position crystal clear when he’d walked out on her.

But what if she’d been wrong?

Everything you want most in life is standing right over there. Now, what are you gonna do about it?
the voice inside her head demanded.

“You’re right, Kate.” Sucking in a deep breath, Nicole stood and strode over to Max. “Excuse me, I hate to interrupt, but I need to speak with you, Max.”

He stared at her for long moments, then excused himself and followed her out on to the terrace. After finding a quiet area where they could be alone, she turned and faced him. His blue eyes blazed down at her.
I can’t do this.

“Nicole?”

Chicken
, the voice jeered.

No!
“I—I’m not the person you think I am.”

He lifted her chin and waited for her eyes to settle on his. “Yes, you are. You’re kind and sweet and loving.”

Her mouth gaped opened and she stared up at him, wide-eyed. She couldn’t have heard him right.

He grinned and pulled her into full contact with his hard, muscular body and she melted into him. Then his lips came down on hers. She trembled and . . . Oh, how she’d missed this.
Him
.

His mouth ravaged hers and sent spirals of ecstasy coursing through her. The blood pounded in her brain, leapt from her heart and made her knees buckle.

She dragged much needed air into her lungs when he broke the kiss long moments later. He laughed, then sobered when a woman came toward them.

The woman smiled hesitantly. “Here you are, Max. I’ve been searching for you everywhere.”

She jerked out of his arms.
No. He can’t be here with someone else.

He pulled her back. “It’s not what you think.”

Trust him
, the voice inside implored.

She gazed into his eyes and found no trace of deceit.

“Who is she?” she whispered.

“Don’t you recognize me?” the woman asked.

Nicole peered down at the petite woman with cropped, curly blond hair and light blue eyes for long moments before recognition dawned. “Christina?”

Christina D’Agata nodded and took a tentative step forward.

Nicole’s mouth dropped open. “You cut your hair. And dyed it. What are you doing here?”

“Max asked me to come. He thought you deserved to know the truth about what happened six years ago.”

Nicole turned to Max, then back to Christina. “What are you talking about?”

Christina pointed to the two chairs beside them. “Can we sit down?”

Nicole nodded and took a seat.

Christina grasped Nicole’s hands and squeezed them tight. “I never meant to hurt you.”

“I don’t understand. What happened six years ago has nothing to do with you.”

The color drained from Christina’s face. “Yes, it does. Let me explain. About six months before you came to work for me, I lost my younger brother. He overdosed on cocaine.”

Nicole gasped.

“When my designs began gaining recognition, we started receiving a lot of social invitations. I’m not the partying type but Carlo was and he dragged Roberto, my brother, with him on quite a few occasions. At first Roberto hated the parties as much as I did, then things changed. He changed.” She shook her head. “If only I’d noticed sooner . . .”

Nicole sighed. “You can’t blame yourself.”

“Yes, I can. If I hadn’t gone to Carlo for capital to start my business, none of this would have happened. I thought he was such a great friend for helping me realize my dream, but he used me and hurt the people I love most, including you.” She clenched her fists. “What an idiot I was to trust him.

“I wanted to kill him when I found out about the drugs. Instead, I got in touch with the authorities and told them what I’d learned. They wanted to set up a sting operation so I arranged for Carlo to make an emergency trip to Mexico, knowing full well he wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring back a shipment of drugs with him.”

The blood roared in her ears and a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her. “You were in on it?”

Christina nodded and wiped a tear from her eye. “You were supposed to be home, in Chicago. I sent you away on that particular weekend so you wouldn’t be involved. Why did you come back so soon?”

“My parents wouldn’t listen to reason so I came back the next morning. Carlo had to deal with a problem that cropped up. I went instead.”

“I tried to convince the FBI you had nothing to do with the drug smuggling, but they thought I was covering for you. That’s when I finally got you a good lawyer and—”

“
You
got my new lawyer?”

A slash of color highlighted each of Christina’s cheekbones. “I couldn’t stand by and do nothing, especially since I was responsible for the mess you landed in.”

Nicole shook her head. “I thought my parents—”

“I had to promise not to tell you. They were devastated they couldn’t help you when you needed them most. I don’t think they ever forgave themselves.”

For so long she’d assumed their silence stemmed from their disappointment in her. Maybe they hadn’t been able to face her, believing they’d let her down?

“The new lawyer uncovered Carlo’s accomplice in the US Customs department and after the FBI offered him immunity, he told them everything and they arrested Carlo.”

“But they still kept me in jail even after they picked him up.”

Christina sighed. “Apparently some of the cocaine went missing from the shipment and Carlo accused you of taking it.”

I want what is rightfully mine.
Carlo’s words echoed in her mind.

“The feds couldn’t prove anything and your lawyer finally got the charges reduced and they released you.”

“I didn’t take the drugs.”

“I know,” Max said.

She gazed up at him and then back to Christina. “Did they ever find out who took the stuff?”

“No. Best they can guess it was taken before the shipment left Mexico.” Christina grasped her hand again and squeezed. “And just so you know, Carlo is back behind bars again. He violated his probation when he came to see you, and Max had him arrested.”

“Between the violation and the blackmailing charges, the authorities will put him away for a very long time,” Max added.

Christina nodded. “I’m sorry for everything I put you through. I never meant to hurt you.”

Nicole turned to face Max after Christina left. There were so many questions she wanted to ask him, but didn’t know where to begin. “You went to New York.”

He nodded. “You deserved to know the truth.”

“And Carlo . . .”

“He won’t bother you anymore.”

No, because he’d made sure of it. Her knight-in shining-armor, coming to her rescue again.

He cupped her face in his hand and brushed his thumb over her cheek. “I’m sorry. I should have known better.”

She closed her eyes for a moment and reveled in his touch. “I’m sorry, too. If only I’d had the courage to tell you sooner.”

“I love you.”

Her breath hitched. “You do, but—”

He gazed down at her, his sapphire blue eyes ablaze. “I love you, Nicole. More than I thought possible. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

She launched herself into his arms and snuggled in close when they tightened around her. “I love you, too.”

A slow smile spread across his face and then his lips came down on hers.

“You two really do need to get a room,” Reed said a few minutes later.

Nicole grinned and turned to face the newlyweds. Max pressed her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her waist. She sighed and clasped her hands over his.

“Does this mean you two have worked things out?” Ashley asked hopefully.

She glanced up at Max’s smiling face and nodded.

Ashley gave her a satisfied grin. “Good. I’m glad. We came out to tell you everyone has left, including Kate, and we’re heading to the hotel.”

“Oh gosh, congratulations. We’re so happy for you,” Nicole said and eased out of Max’s embrace to hug her sister. “Have a great time on your honeymoon and don’t worry about anything.

“We’ll take care of everything here,” Max said and hugged them both.

“You better be good to her, bro,” Reed said.

“Don’t worry. I will.”

“I guess that leaves you and me,” Nicole said when Ashley and Reed disappeared from sight.

“I guess it does. So where do we go from here?”

Nicole hugged him tight, knowing in her heart of hearts he wasn’t just asking about tonight. “Where do you want to go?”

“I don’t care as long as you’re with me.”

“With you is where I want to be.”

His kiss was sweet and tender and filled with promises of love that would last a lifetime.

“Let’s go home.”

She grinned. “Yes, let’s.”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and turned her toward the stairs. “Oh, wait. I have something of yours. I’ve been meaning to give it back for a while.”

“What—”

He lifted a finger to her lips to silence her, then reached inside his tuxedo jacket and pulled out a jeweler’s box.

She frowned. “What’s this?”

He opened it and she let out a soft cry. “My mother’s diamond pendant.”

“I couldn’t let you sell it.”

She threw her arms around him and squeezed him tight. “How did you get it?”

“I called the jeweler the minute we got home that day and told him I wanted to buy it back. He set it aside and I picked it up the next morning while you were at work.”

“I can’t believe you did this. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He dropped a soft kiss on her lips then eased her back. “I picked up something else while I was at the jewelers.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out another box, flipped open the top and presented it to her.

Nicole gasped. A large pear-shaped diamond with two baguettes on either side winked up at her.

“Will you marry me?”

A lump formed in her throat and tears flooded her eyes. “Yes, oh yes, Max. I would love to marry you.”

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

“I have one more surprise for you,” he said a few minutes later.

Her eyes rounded. She didn’t think he could top what he’d already given her tonight.

“I want you to come see a place I found for us to live.”

“A place to live?”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “It has a
private
master bath with a soaking tub big enough for both of us.”

She grinned. “Sounds promising.”

“It also has a second bedroom suite, on the other side of the house. I thought it would be perfect for Kate.”

The tears threatened to spill again. “You’d let her move in with us?”

“Of course. She’s your sister. I don’t expect you to abandon her for me.”

She hugged him tight.

“Come on, let’s go.”

Nicole smiled as they walked toward Max’s car hand in hand. She loved him. As incredible as it seemed, he loved her too. She’d put the past behind her and the future seemed brighter than ever. Life couldn’t get any better. Yet she knew, without a doubt, that with Max beside her it most definitely would.