“Knowing how you feel about me, let’s agree it’s much better I’ve separated myself from the company and will follow my own path from now on.”
Lines broke out on his austere features. “What about Sabine and the child you lost?”
Raoul refused to go there or expose her lie. “Celine will always have a place in my heart, but my divorce is past history. We were never suited. It’s another fact you need to make clear to the media. I’m building a new life.”
“With your mistress and bastard son?”
Raoul wasn’t surprised his father knew about Alain, but he wasn’t going to explain about Antoinette or Cami.
“You mean Alain Fontesquieu? Has your source also learned that Alain’s other grandfather died several years ago? But Alain still has a living grandfather in his gran’pere Matthieu Fontesquieu. If you ever want to visit and get to know your grandson, you’re welcome at the villa. Is there anything else? If not, I’m leaving.”
He started for the door but his father followed him. His hands had formed fists at his side. “You’re going to give up everything?” he bit out incredulously.
“If you mean money, I already have, and never took a sou of Sabine’s. But I am a Fontesquieu. You don’t give up your heritage, and I’ve had a good life to this point, but times are changing. I’m embracing those changes to make new memories and would hope you and Maman are a part of them. That’s up to you.”
With nothing more to say, Raoul turned on his heel and walked out of the office, leaving his stunned father to his own devices. For the first time in his life, Raoul actually sensed a crack in his papa’s demeanor.
After getting in the car, he was so relieved to have thrown off the yoke that had bound him, he felt liberated and wanted to be with Cami. Unfortunately she wasn’t available, so he hurried home. Nathalie would be arriving with Alain. Raoul wanted to put him to bed. Then he’d phone the woman he adored.
* * *
After Cami got back to the apartment, she found her mom talking to her aunt and uncle on the speakerphone. They were making plans for next week after Cami’s operation was over.
Not wanting to think about it, she hurried into the bedroom and got ready for bed. While she was brushing her teeth, her cell rang. She jumped and picked up after the first ring.
“Raoul?”
“I’m glad you answered so fast. I’ve needed to hear your voice.”
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, but I have news we need to talk about. Tonight it was my father, not Jean-Pierre, who was waiting for me. We had the confrontation predestined for a lifetime, and I officially
resigned from the company.”
A gasp escaped. “Was it terrible?”
“No. I’m rid of a great burden, but I won’t bother you about it right now. What I’m asking is that you go sailing with me tomorrow. We’ll have the whole Saturday to ourselves.”
Thrilled, she clutched the counter with one hand. “What about Alain?”
“Delphine will be here. They need time together and I have to get away. Please come. There’s a lot I want to talk to you about. By tomorrow the whole family will have heard this news. The reaction will be ugly. Sabine told my father about her visit and seeing you at the door. He was upset by that news.
“I’m hoping this doesn’t touch you in any way, but I can’t promise that it won’t, or show up in the news. We need to discuss it, but not here. I’ll pick you up at eight if that’s all right.”
“Eight is fine. Bonne nuit, Raoul.”
* * *
Saturday turned out to be cold, but not freezing. An hour after leaving Vence, Cami and Raoul reached the port in Nice beneath a semisunny sky. They bought some food at a Chinese bistro, then Raoul drove them to the dock where they boarded his thirty-eight-foot state-of-the-art sailboat.
He helped Cami on board and handed her a life jacket to put on. Soon they went downstairs to the living area that included the captain’s console. Above and below it was luxury personified. Within a few minutes the air was toasty and comfortable.
Raoul had given her startling news over the phone last night. He’d hinted at repercussions that could reach the media. Since his divorce she knew he didn’t put anything past his family.
No one was kidding anybody. A new nightmare could be starting. She didn’t want to be any part of it, but recognized she’d needed to come with him today so they could talk.
Raoul undid the ropes and started the motor to edge them out to the bay beyond the buoys. Through the windows belowdecks she had a spectacular view of the Mediterranean. A few boats skimmed the calm, dark blue water.