Five Dates with the Billionaire - Alyssa J. Montgomery Page 0,74

was with was supposed to have been her cousin, but she’d lied about that too. He was her lover even when we first met.’

‘You must’ve felt so betrayed.’

‘I believe in fidelity, Mia. It was a blow to know that Rachel had never been faithful.’ He gritted his teeth together and launched into recounting the embarrassing tale. ‘Her lover was infertile and they couldn’t afford a fertility clinic. They’d decided Rachel would marry me, get pregnant then divorce me. They thought they’d bleed me through the divorce settlement and child support.’

‘That’s unconscionable.’ She shook her head. ‘They confessed their plans?’

‘Yes. Very smugly. They thought their plan had worked. Rachel had found out she was pregnant and packed her bags the same day.’

Leaning closer to him, she asked in a shocked tone, ‘You have a child?’

‘No. Rachel miscarried.’ His words were flat, his shoulders slumped. ‘I was a heel because all I felt was relief when I learned she’d miscarried the week after she’d walked out on me.’

Mia reached out and placed her hand on his arm. ‘I’d say yours was a fairly human reaction. It wouldn’t have been pleasant having to keep seeing her and her partner as you shared custody of your child. And children sense hostility between their parents. That would’ve been an unhealthy environment to grow up in.’

He made a sound of disgust. ‘Once I understood the extent of the lies and deceit she’d practised against me, I knew Rachel was toxic.’

‘I had no idea.’ She clicked her tongue against her palate. ‘Violet told me you were divorced, but she didn’t go into any details.’

‘All she knew was that Rachel had cheated on me. I didn’t tell her anything else. Apart from my lawyer, I’ve never told anyone any of the details. And I made Rachel sign a non-disclosure as part of the divorce proceedings.’

‘After all you’ve been through, I can’t blame you for having me investigated.’

‘Actually, I called Tony to find out what you were involved in so I could help you.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Mia, I’ve laid my heart bare. I do love you, far more than I ever thought it would be possible to love someone. Please, tell me you’ll—’

She reached up and placed a finger against his lips. ‘I don’t know whether I can ever marry you, Connor, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to. I love you with my whole heart.’

Connor felt tears pricking at his eyes and he struggled to keep himself together.

She reached up and traced her fingertips over his cheeks. ‘I swear I’ve never told Violet, but I’ve been in love with you for years. Every time I heard about something wonderful you’d done for her or for the charities you support…’ She shook her head. ‘I can’t tell you all the little—and enormous—things you’ve done over the years that have made me notice you, admire you and grow to love you.’

He blinked against the moisture in his eyes, but when Mia’s eyes also filled with tears and she sent him a watery smile, he didn’t care about baring his emotion to this woman he loved.

Lowering his head, his lips sought hers. No words were necessary. Their mutual love was in every kiss.

‘I can’t believe you love me,’ she said breathlessly.

‘I hope you’ll see it in everything I—’ Connor broke off as his phone rang. Checking quickly, he saw the caller ID and had to answer it.

‘Is Mia somewhere safe?’

‘Yes. She’s with me.’

‘Carlisle?’ Mia mouthed and Connor nodded.

‘Good. I’m going to send you my photo. I want you to forward it to your head of building security and make sure he escorts me up to you. Just me. Nobody else. Got it?’

‘Got it.’

‘Stay where you are and keep her away from windows. I’ll be there soon.’ The second he hung up, Mia asked, ‘What’s happening?’

‘Carlisle’s coming up. We have to stay put and wait for him.’

Every nerve in his body stretched tight. If Carlisle was here telling Mia to keep away from windows, there was a very good chance Sully was getting into position to take a shot at his target.

Chapter Twenty-three

Agent Roberts was ushered into the meeting room by the head of security and wasted no time getting straight to the point.

‘Sully is in London, Mia.’

‘Connor’s filled me in.’ Mia’s stomach churned like a washing machine on a permanent deep rinse cycle but with Connor sitting next to her, holding her hand, she could cope.

The FBI agent pulled out a folder and started drawing on a piece of paper. ‘This is