Wed on His Terms: Million-Dollar Marriage Merger. Charlene SandsЧитать онлайн книгу.
with his brothers by his side. But as it turned out none of the three sons had stayed home to run the Carlino empire.
Now with Santo gone, Tony had no choice but to return. His fatherâs last will and testament made sure that each of his sons spent some time together running the company. Heâd stipulated that in order for any of them to claim their inheritance, the land, the company, the Carlino empire, one of them had to agree to become the new CEO within six months.
It was just another way for his father to manipulate them. But Tony hadnât come back to Napa for the money. He had plenty of his own. Heâd come back to lay his father to rest and to let his weary body recover from injuries garnered in a wreck at Bristol Raceway just months before.
Heâd called his younger brothers home. Joe, the real brain in the family, had been living in New York, trying to develop the latest software phenomenon. And Nick, the youngest, had been creating havoc in Europe, earning a reputation as a gambler and ladiesâ man.
Tony smiled at that. Little Nick had a wild streak that could lay shame to a young and virile Santo Carlino in his bachelor days. But if one thing could be said about his old man, it was that he was a loving and faithful husband. Tonyâs mother, Josephina, had tempered him with love and adoration. Many thought her a saint for putting up with Santo, but only the family knew that Santo would have died for her.
âSo whenâs the wedding?â Joe entered the office at Carlino Wines with his hands on his hips, his studious dark brown eyes visible behind a pair of glasses.
When Tony glanced at him in question, Joe continued, âYou told me you were getting married.â
Tony shoved the ledger books away and leaned back in his chair. âYou need a willing bride for a wedding.â
âWanna tell me why you chose Rena? Is it Purple Fields youâre after? Or something else?â
A sigh emerged from deep in Tonyâs chest. He rubbed tension from his forehead. âMaybe I want it all.â
âWant or need?â
Tony narrowed his eyes and gave his brother a look.
Joe shrugged in an offhanded way. âYouâve never spoken of marriage before. And the last thing I thought Iâd hear at Davidâs funeral was that you intended to marry his widow. Even if it is Rena. We all know sheâs not exactly your biggest fan.â
Tony scoffed. How well he knew. âHardly that.â
âSo, what is it? Do you love her?â
Tonyâs face crinkled up, despite his efforts to keep a blank expression. The truth was he had loved Rena when theyâd been younger but heâd loved racing more. He wound up breaking her heart by leaving her behind to pursue his dreams.
Now he had a chance to make it up to her and honor the pledge heâd made David. At the time heâd made that vow it was a no-brainer. David was on his last breaths, and heâd implored Tony to take care of Rena and the child heâd suspected she carried. Tony hadnât flinched when heâd made that promise.
Did Tony want to marry Rena and raise a child that wasnât his? He simply didnât know. But it was what he planned to do.
âNo, I donât love her.â He stood and looked his brother straight in the eyes, lowering his voice. âThis goes no further.â
Joe nodded.
âI made David a promise to take care of Rena, the winery and ⦠and their unborn child.â
Joe pressed a finger to the bridge of his glasses, securing them in place. He contemplated a moment staring back at Tony then gave an understanding nod. âGot it. Rena knows nothing about this I suppose.â
âNothing.â
âAre you seeing her?â
Tony winced, thinking back on the excuses sheâd given him. âIâve tried several times since the funeral.â
âNot cooperating is she?â
âNo.â
âCanât imagine why she doesnât want to start up right where you left off twelve years ago,â Joe said, mockingly. âShe picked up the pieces after you left her. It was a hard fall, Tony. I remember hearing all about it. When she fell for David, everyone thought it was the right move. They were happy for her. Sorry, but your name was mud around here for a long time. Then you started winning races and people forgot about the pain you caused Rena. Except Rena. She never forgot. She really loved David, and now heâs gone. You canât blame her for hard feelings. Sheâs had it rough.â
âI donât blame her. But I will honor my promise to David.â
Joe grinned. âI respect your determination, Tony. How are you going to charm a woman who clearly â¦â
âHates me?â Tony huffed out a breath. Unfortunately, what he had in mind didnât require a multitude of charm. Just blackmail. He would give Rena what she wanted most in life. âI have a plan.â
Joe shook his head. âYou always do.â
âItâs time I set that plan in action.â
Rena looked in her closet as tears streamed down her face. It had been three weeks since the funeral, and Davidâs clothesâhis shirts and pants, his jackets and sweatshirtsâstill hung just beside hers. She reached out to touch his favorite blue plaid shirt. Her fingers lingered a bit and an image appeared of sitting by a cozy fire cuddling up next to David and laying her head on the soft flannel, his arm wrapped around her shoulder. She smiled at the memory, even through her tears. âWhat now, David?â she asked in the solitude of her bedroom.
She was a thirty-one-year-old widow. She never would have believed it. Not when just weeks ago sheâd planned on telling David her joyous news ⦠that they were to become parents. Sheâd had it all planned. Sheâd silk-screened T-shirts that said, âIâm the Daddyâ and another that said, âIâm the Mommyâ and the third tiny T-shirt said, âAnd Iâm the Boss.â Sheâd planned on giving David the set of them over his favorite dinner.
She hadnât gone to the doctor yet, relying solely on the pregnancy test sheâd taken. Sheâd wanted David by her side when they heard the news officially. Now sheâd be going to all of her appointments alone, facing an unknown future.
The only bright spot in all this sadness was the child she carried. She loved her baby with all of her heart and vowed to protect it, doing whatever it took to make a good life for him or her.
Rena closed the closet door unable to remove and discard Davidâs clothes as sheâd planned. âIâm not ready to let go,â she whispered. She needed Davidâs things around her, to feel his presence and warmth surround her. It gave her a sense of peace, odd as that might seem.
âDo you want me to help you with Davidâs things, Rena?â Solena Melendezâs voice broke into her thoughts. Rena turned to find her friend at the bedroom threshold, a concerned look on her face.
Rena smiled sadly. Since Davidâs death, Solena made a point to check up on Rena every morning.
âSolena, no. But thank you.â Solena and Raymond Melendez worked at Purple FieldsâSolena in the wine-tasting room, Raymond overseeing the vineyards. Theyâd been loyal employees since Rena and David took over the winery after her parentsâ deaths.
âIt