Wed on His Terms: Million-Dollar Marriage Merger. Charlene SandsЧитать онлайн книгу.
Tony was gone, his father had ignored Tonyâs protests to leave Purple Fields alone. The Fairfields had suffered, but theyâd never fully succumbed to his fatherâs ruthless business tactics.
Rena hadnât stepped foot in his house since. It seemed his new wife hated everything Carlino.
âWell then, itâs settled. Iâll move into your house.â
Rena swallowed and gave him a reluctant nod.
He bounded out of the car and opened her door. She looked up and announced, âIâll wait for you out here. Itâs a nice day. I need the ⦠fresh air.â
Tony didnât push her. He helped her out, making a mental note that his Porsche wasnât a family car or comfortable for his pregnant wife. âIâll be a few minutes.â
She nodded and stretched out, raising her arms, shaking out the kinks, confirming that heâd been right about the car.
Tony bounded up the steps and entered the arched wrought iron doors decorated with delicate metal vines that led to a breezeway. The house, set more like an Italian villa atop the hill, had four wings that met in the center by a large expansive living room and dining area overlooking the vineyards. Tony liked his privacy, and each of the Carlino men had lived in separate sections of the house once theyâd grown up.
âHey, I thought I heard you come in. How are the newlyweds?â Joe asked, approaching him as he began his ascent up the stairs.
Tony sighed. âFine.â
âThat bad? I take it the wedding night didnât go so smoothly.â
Tony knew Joe meant well. He wasnât prying; he was simply concerned. âSheâs still grieving.â
âUnderstandable. Where is she?â
âOutside. She wonât come in. But I plan to rectify that soon. Sheâs not thrilled that Iâm moving in with her.â
âI wasnât sure of your plans. I guess it makes sense for you to live there for a while.â
âIâll divide my time between here and there, Joe, but Iâd appreciate it if you and Nick could hold down the fort for a few days without me.â
âSure, no problem.â
âThanks. You know,â he began with a slant of his head, âif youâd have told me six months ago Iâd be married to Rena and raising a baby, I wouldnât have believed it.â
âAm I hearing a little bit of awe in your voice?â
âYeah, well, maybe Iâm adjusting to the situation a little better than my wife is.â
âSheâll come around. In fact, I think Iâll step outside and say hello to my new sister-in-law. Maybe put in a few good words for you.â
âI can use all the help I can get. Rena thinks she married the devil.â He chuckled as he took the steps up to his bedroom. Heâd been called even worse by some of the women heâd dated in the past.
And it had all been true.
âTony?â Rena questioned him immediately when she realized where they were going. Tony hadnât taken her directly back to Purple Fields after heâd picked up his clothes from his estate. Instead, heâd driven to the cemetery where David was buried.
âAre you okay with this?â he asked.
Rena squeezed her eyes shut. Right after David died, sheâd made daily trips to the cemetery to lay wildflowers by his grave. Sheâd come and sit on the grass just to feel close to him again. But after sheâd learned about the promise heâd asked of Tony, sheâd gotten so angry with him for his manipulation that she hadnât come back since. Now she realized the folly in that. David had tried to protect her. Even in death, heâd tried to take care of her. Guilt assailed her for being so shortsighted and selfish. She should have come more often. She should have honored the man whoâd loved her. âYes, Iâm okay with this.â
Once out of the car, Tony met her on the lawn and put out his hand. She glanced down at it and then into his reassuring eyes. âWeâll do this together.â
She slipped her hand into his, and silently they walked to the center of the Gracious Hill section of the cemetery. A new bronze headstone with Davidâs name and birth date embossed in gold stared up at them. Rena sank to her knees and said a prayer. She sat there for a minute, looking down, running her fingers over the headstone, touching Davidâs nameplate with infinite care.
Tony helped her up, and taking her hand, he spoke with reverence as his gaze drifted down toward the grave. âSheâs safe, David,â he whispered. âWeâre married now. Iâll take good care of her.â
Overwhelmed with emotion, Rena let out a sob. Tears she couldnât hold back, spilled down her cheeks. The reality of the last few weeks came crashing down on her.
âItâs okay, honey,â Tony said softly. He turned his body and encompassed her in his arms, cradling her as she cried into his chest. She sobbed deeply, the pain emanating from deep within. Guilt and sadness washed over her.
Tony tightened his hold on her. âLet it out, Rena.â
Cocooned in Tonyâs strength and warmth, she cried and cried until she finally managed to control her emotions. She sniffed and gulped in oxygen and stopped crying after several minutes, yet she couldnât let go of Tony. Wrapped up in his arms, she was grateful for the comfort, the gentle assuring words, the soft kisses to her forehead. She gave herself up to Tony allowing him to be strong for her. She needed this. She needed for once to let someone else take the brunt of her heartache.
âHeâs okay with this, Rena,â Tony whispered. âItâs what David wanted.â
She knew that to be true. But she also realized she had just married a man who had hurt and betrayed her onceâa man whom she blamed for her husbandâs death, a man whoâd felt obligated to marry her. How could she find comfort in that?
âI was mad at David for asking this of you. Of me,â she whispered painfully. âI havenât come here in weeks.â
Tony stroked her back again and again, keeping her head pressed to his chest. âDonât beat yourself up, Rena. Youâre a strong woman, but you have a right to all your feelings.â
âEven the ones that scream I shouldnât have married you?â
Tony looked down into her eyes. âYeah, even those.â
âI donât intend on cutting you any slack,â she said quietly.
âPlanning on making my life miserable?â
âNot deliberately, Tony. But yes. You may want to move out before the week is over.â
âDoubtful. Iâm not going anywhere.â
Then he leaned down and kissed her softly, exquisitely on her lips, and for the first time, Rena came close to believing him.
With arms folded, Rena watched Tony set his bags on the floor beside her bed. He faced her, his gaze direct and piercing. âI told you, I wonât tiptoe around you anymore. Weâre going to live as man and wife.â
Rena drew in a breath. Exhausted, she had no more tears to shed. Sheâd used up her quota and then some at the cemetery. Though her insides quaked and her head ached, she knew she had no choice but to accept Tony in her home and in her bed. He had pride. He was virile and strong and extremely sexy. She suspected women had thrown