Page 14 of Untamed Billionaire
Arnold’s surprise was genuine, and then his delight showed on his face. “That’s wonderful news!” He stood up and hugged Marco, patting him fiercely on the back. “You know that I’m always very proud of you. You’ve come a long way in this world.” They both sat down again, and a waiter arrived to freshen their drinks. “So, who is the lucky woman?”
Marco pictured Chloe in his mind and wasn’t aware of the softening of his normally harsh features. “Chloe Forsythe.”
Arnold almost choked on his drink. “Chloe?” he gasped as he tried to cough up the scotch that had gone down the wrong way. “Are you serious?”
“Chloe is beautiful and sweet. And she’s smart as a whip!”
The judge nodded his agreement. “Yes, but the mother is a nasty piece of work. And Chloe’s father…well, I can’t reveal much, but he’s,” Judge Arnold paused to look around. When he confirmed that they were far enough away from the other patrons, he continued, “The man is in trouble, son.”
Marco nodded, looking down at his drink. “I’ve heard the rumors. He’s basically bankrupt.”
“Exactly. I suspect that there’s more to it than just imminent financial ruin.”
“I think you’re right. But Chloe isn’t like them. She’s actually a very sweet and caring person.”
“She’s beautiful,” Arnold agreed. “But I’m surprised that the mother is going to allow Chloe to marry you.”
Marco laughed, understanding the intent behind the snobbish comment and not taking offense. “I am a pretty good prospect, considering that so many of the older families living in Charleston are in dire financial trouble lately. They are starting to accept that they need new money in order to refill their nearly empty coffers.”
Arnold’s expression showed his concern. “And are you…going to do that? Why would you support a family like that? The Forsythe family spends simply to out-spend their peers!”
Marco chuckled. “I’m not taking on the financial responsibility for Chloe’s parents or her brother. They are fully functioning adults.”
Arnold sighed, shaking his head. “You have your reasons,” he replied. “Ever since you were a teen, you knew how to get through this world better than anyone I ever came across.” He chuckled. “The day you showed up in my courtroom…” he laughed again at the memory. “You were one of the good ones.”
Marco smiled, silently thanking the man for his praise. “You gave me a chance.”
Arnold shook his head. “You created all of the chances you needed back then and you’re still doing it now. So whatever reason you’re marrying Chloe, you have my full support. Just let me know if I can do anything to help. That family is a pit of vipers.”
Marco threw back his head, laughing at the sage man’s accurate assessment of his future in-laws.
Chapter 4
“What’s wrong?” Marco demanded as soon as Chloe sat down across from him. “Did your parents say something to upset you?”
Chloe smiled, but the expression didn’t reach her eyes. She took the linen napkin from her plate and laid it carefully over her lap. “No!” she whispered, trying to believe it. Then closed her eyes, jerking her head slightly. “I’m mean, yes. My mother always makes comments designed to upset me. It’s the only way she can get through the day.”
Marco’s lips compressed in tight, impotent fury. “Your mother is a…”
Chloe laughed, laying a hand on his arm. “I know.” She smothered her amusement, looking around at the other patrons in the elegant restaurant to ensure that no one saw her laughter. Chloe had been told repeatedly that her laugh was too loud, too gauche. She’d long ago learned to suppress any laughter for fear of bringing condemnation down on her. “I know,” she repeated, this time with a heavy sigh. “But until we are married and have Emma, she has all the power.”
Marco’s lips pressed together, but Chloe changed the subject. “However, I’m not…umm….upset about something my mother has said to me.” She took a deep breath and fiddled with the edge of her napkin. “In fact, I haven’t seen my mother this morning. I don’t know where she was, because she is usually rigid in her daily schedule and wouldn’t dream of leaving the house in a rush prior to her two cups of coffee and three slices of apple.” She looked out at the beautiful courtyard through the windows. “However, she did leave this morning. And I don’t know where she went and…”
Chloe stopped when he touched her hand. “What’s wrong, Chloe?” Marco asked gently. “Do you want to back out of the wedding? We haven’t announced it to anyone other than your parents, so no one is the wiser.”
Marco held his breath, waiting for Chloe’s answer. He didn’t want her to back out. He wanted Chloe. Not just sexually, but damn, the dreams he’d had of her last night still caused his body to throb with need.
“No. I don’t want to back out.” She looked up at him, startled and asked, “Unless you’ve changed your mind?”
Marco released the breath and shook his head. “No. I’m in. I want to marry you, Chloe.”
She smiled and something eased in his chest at the relief in her eyes. She might be marrying him to save her sister, but he suspected that there was something more to her agreement. And Marco was going to fan whatever that “something” was until it was as flaming hot as he was for her.
“So what’s bothering you?”
She smiled briefly, but the smile flitted away. “How do you know that something is bothering me?”
He almost laughed at her question. “Perhaps because you’re trying to make that napkin into a fan with your fingers. Or maybe it’s because you’re blushing every few seconds, leading me to think that you might have something on your mind that we need to discuss. Perhaps something of a personal nature?”
