“What? No, actually. Baz took care of stuff before I left. I’ve enjoyed not having to track my name and wonder if today would be the day I’d get vilified in the press again.” Her heart tightened, her stomach cramping. “Are you saying Carl Madison went back on the agreement?”
That fast Baz was there, putting his hand out for the phone. She gave it to him without a second thought.
“Kayla, it is Basilio. What is going on?”
He grimaced, listening to whatever Kayla was saying, his expression turning more and more grim as her sister’s agitated tones came through the phone.
Finally, he said, “Do not worry about it, Kayla. I will take care of it.”
Kayla said something.
“No, of course not.”
She said something else.
His lips tilted in a partial smile. “Thank you. We will see you soon.”
They ended the call.
“Didn’t she want to talk to me again?” Randi asked.
“She understood I needed to tell you the latest development.”
“What latest development?”
Baz pulled her over to their bed and helped her climb inside before joining her, his arm a solid presence around her waist as they faced each other.
He traced her jawbone and then tucked her hair behind Randi’s ear. “I do not want you to worry.”
“Just tell me.”
“The researchers at the television station you were going to do the interview on are much better at their job than any media outlet so far. They got ahold of the police reports, both from five years ago and recently when Carlos assaulted you.”
“What? How?” Agitated and worried, she plucked at the bedding. “I didn’t say anything. I didn’t even hint. I promise, Baz. Andreas’s contact set up the interview and no one knew exactly what I planned to say, just that I was going to give my side of the story.”
“Of course you didn’t. You have too much integrity to go back on your word.”
“That’s what you told Kayla. That of course I hadn’t done it,” Randi said wonderingly.
“Naturally.”
She threw herself at Baz. “I love you so much. I know you don’t believe in it, but I’m not keeping the words inside.”
His arms automatically wrapped around her, pulling her tight against his near-naked body. “Because I believe in your integrity?”
“Because everything. You’re ruthless, but you weren’t lying when you said it was both with and on behalf of your family. You’re kind. You’re generous even if you’d like to hide that fact. You’re incredibly loyal. And, well, you’re sexier than any other man alive.”
“I believe you are profoundly biased.”
“That’s the way it’s supposed to be. In love.”
He got a strange look on his face. “Love. I promised myself that I would never fall for that construct.”
“I’m allowed to love you, whatever promises you’ve made to yourself. You’d better accept that now. We won’t be talking marriage if you don’t.” That was a deal-breaker for her. It was one thing to accept a man who never said the words, but exhibited the emotion; another thing entirely to expect her never to speak of her love for him.
He smiled wryly. “I broke the promise.”
“What? What are you saying?” She cuddled closer to him, looking up into his espresso gaze, tendrils of hope curling around her heart and seeping into her soul.
“I’m saying that the only thing that explains what we have between us, my need not only to have you in my bed, but also in my life, and not just for now, but for the rest of that life...” He stopped speaking, just looking down at her, his dark eyes filled with wonder, warmth and a lot of heat. “I love you, Miranda. You have broken through every chain locking my heart tight.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I didn’t think you’d ever admit it to yourself, much less me.”
“How can I show less courage than you?”
“I’m not brave.”
“Despite all you have experienced, you believe in the goodness in people. You believe you can make a difference in the lives of children. You trust me. That is a gift of the highest magnitude.”
“I love when you start talking all formal.”
“It is easier when my emotions are trying to take over my brain, especially when I’m not communicating in the language of my birth.”
“I thought you didn’t do powerful emotion.”
“I find that I do.”
The tears spilled over. “Oh, Baz.”
“I love you, now and forever.” He rolled her under him.
She smiled up into his handsome face. “Into eternity.”
EPILOGUE
CARLOS THREW A fit when Basilio called him about the truth coming out, but ultimately agreed to do what his younger brother instructed.
He didn’t want to lose the support of Perez Holdings. Between his PR team and the one dedicated to Perez Holdings, they mitigated as much damage as possible. But this time around the truth was out there for everyone to judge.
Tiffany ended up taking an extended holiday in Australia; the children came to Spain to stay with Basilio, Miranda and Armand. Miranda was glad to be out of the US while the story got a chance to blow over. She refused all requests for interviews, photo ops or anything else that might put her into the public eye.
She was ridiculously content in Basilio’s home and his life, her days busy with the children, her duties with Kayla’s for Kids and the new Loving Sisters Shelter. Miranda found peace unlike she’d known in five years as she grew closer to Grace and Jamie, the little boy who had not only survived the accident, but now flourished with keen intelligence and typical little-boy enthusiasm for life.
When they returned the children to the States two weeks later, it was to learn that Kayla was pregnant.
She and her beautiful son attended Miranda and Baz’s wedding the following year. The infant, too small to take part in the ceremony, sat on his proud papá’s lap. The little girl they had adopted out of foster care, however, was just the right age to act as a flower girl. She stood beside her mother and Miranda as she and Baz spoke vows of love and lifelong commitment. It was only afterward she learned that Baz had hired security to keep her mother away from her special day.
He took protecting Miranda very seriously and spoke of his love for her every day. She was always eager to return the words, truly content, knowing she was genuinely and always safe for the first time in her life.
* * * * *
If you enjoyed The Spaniard’s Pleasurable Vengeance, you’re sure to enjoy these other stories by Lucy Monroe!
Sheikh’s Scandal
An Heiress for His Empire
A Virgin for His Prize
Kostas’s Convenient Bride
Available now!
Keep reading for an excerpt from Kidnapped for Her Secret Son by Andie Brock.
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