Crude Heir (Billionaire Heirs #3)

Chapter 30

Derrick

I glance hopelessly toward Addler, feeling utterly powerless to do anything other than cradle Nicole. My heart’s battered over seeing her so vulnerable. I just want to hold her and never let her go.

“What can I do?” I ask Addler, with an edge of desperation in my voice, as if he’ll have a ready answer. I don’t think this scenario would ever cross most people’s minds much less to be part of the experience.

Elena, standing nearby with a concerned look on her face, chimes in. “There has to be something in the law that will help people in a situation like this.”

Addler, his expression dire, shakes his head slowly. “Legal channels take time,” Addler replies. “And Simon can do a lot of damage, given enough time.”

I tighten my arms around Nicole, who’s still curled up in my lap. She’s been dreading this moment for three years. The reality may have been a little too much for her. I want to protect her from all of it, just pick her up and take her somewhere safe where she doesn’t need to be afraid.

Addler presses his lips into a grim line then looks to everyone else in the room. He seems to make some sort of decision. “Can you all give us a minute?” he asks, his tone brooking no argument.

The room falls silent, tension ratcheting up over what might happen next.

Elena pauses, shooting him a look of concern, then turns to mom. “Miss Josie,” she says, with a smile that actually looks authentic. “Let’s go see if Mayela needs help fixing breakfast.”

Mom gives me a doubtful glance. Her intuition’s always been spot-on, this time is no different. Something’s definitely wrong, but I can’t have her be a part of what I have to deal with.

“Go ahead.” I tip my head toward the door, trying not to look so dire.

“I’m not leaving,” Keith states with steely determination. It’s the expression I’ve seen in the boardroom. I don’t think there’s anything I can say that’ll sway him easily.

Addler nods then turns to Ezequiel. “Can you shut the door?”

“Sure.” Once the door is closed, Addler draws in a breath and explains what he’s found.

“I sent a message for information on Nicole. There was an offshore account opened with Simon and Nicole’s names this morning.” Addler slides his thumb along the edge of the screen then catches my gaze. “Want to guess the balance?”

Nicole shakes her head, adamantly. “No, it wasn’t me.” She squeezes my hand, her eyes frantic at the thought someone would think she was part of the embezzlement.

“Don’t worry about that, Nicole,” Keith assures her.

“I…know someone who might be able to help,” Addler says tentatively. “I would only be able to get you so far without having questions come up. So it’s best you do it.” He presses his lips together. “But you’re going to need money for it, brother.”

“I can cover whatever it is,” Keith says, dismissing any concern. While I have a healthy bank account, I don’t have Keith Kelly money or Addler de Marco money. And that may be exactly what’s needed.

For the first time ever, I feel grateful for him being the man he is, and for sticking around.

Addler shakes his head. “It’s not that easy,” he explains. “This is invitation only,” he continues. “You’d have to be vetted to begin with.” He blows out a breath. “What I’m about to do, which is vouch for you, just isn’t done. I don’t know if it’ll work. I don’t know if it’ll backfire. But I’m willing to try.”

“You have the money you need,” Keith says. “I wasn’t lying when I told Simon I set you up before you were born. With stocks, properties, smart business decisions, and compound interest on accounts you haven’t touched, you became a billionaire nearly a decade ago.”

Everything inside me balks at the thought of accepting this. But the bundle in my arms is a reminder that there’s someone I’d do anything for. I can’t find the words, but I nod my acceptance and swallow down the pride I’ve been feeding until it’s taken over my entire life.

“Thank you.” This entire ordeal leaves me humbled.

Keith pulls out his phone. “Let me call my attorney and get the documents you need to sign.” He steps away.

“Okay, I’ll see what I can do.” Addler turns toward the door, needing privacy to talk to his contact.

“Can you find out if I can send the money back?” Nicole asks, stopping him mid-step.

It hadn’t occurred to me to try that, but with her experience in the accounting department, she’d know how money comes back into the company.

“That may be possible,” Addler replies thoughtfully.

“We can track down the rest of the invoices and do a credit on damages, or a return,” Nicole suggests. "That would take care of any questions that would come up at the office.”

“I don’t think Simon would expect for anyone to know he opened an offshore account,” I say, jumping on the idea. “Much less for someone to drain the account on the same day. But if Nicole’s name is there, then it would all be aboveboard.”

“Serves him right for trying to involve her.” Ezequiel snorts. “I’d kill to see his face when he finds out the balance is down to zero.”

“Let me go make that call.” Addler backs out of the room.

I don’t know what it is, but something tells me he’s worried about this. Is it because we’re emptying an account? Is there some kind of legal issue that might come back to haunt him?

Ezequiel’s gaze comes back to Nicole. He turns pensive, then he looks to the floor. “You need backup?” Ezequiel offers.

Addler stops short, turning to find Ezequiel studying the carpet. “You sure about this?”

Again, I have a sense that there’s more to this call than Addler’s letting on.

Ezequiel nods, glances up at Nicole, then at me. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

He pulls his phone, a determined look on his face. “Come on, let’s see how it goes.”

Holding her tight, I struggle with my conscience. “Guys, are you sure this is something you want to do?”

“We’re good,” Addler says dismissively.

I should have expected that Addler wouldn’t be deterred.

“Thank you, both.” While I don’t know what they’re risking, the simple fact is that something’s on the line. I can only be grateful they’re willing to stick their necks out for me, for Nicole.

“Sure, bro,” Addler replies.

Ezequiel merely nods as they head out the door. “Let me tell Sage she can stop looking through the logs,” he says, reaching into his back pocket, “before she hands me my ass.”

“Security?” Addler’s voice carries a teasing note. “When did this happen?” he asks. He receives a shrug as a reply.

“Your mom,” Nicole says quietly.

I look up to find her approaching. She glances at Keith then leans in. “Addler said it was fine to come in,” she whispers.

“Yes.” I tip my head toward my father. “He’s calling his attorney,” I say without thinking.

“Can he fix this?” she asks, sounding hopeful.

At this point, I’m not sure what I can say and what I can’t. I’d rather not bring her into something that she shouldn’t be a part of to begin with.

“Uh, in a way.” I try my best to keep to the truth while skirting what Addler is trying to coordinate. “I…accepted what he’s set aside for me.”

Her face lights up. “Derrick. That’s wonderful!”

“If it’ll help Nicole, I’m willing to do it.”

“I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to pay you back,” Nicole murmurs.

I smile down at her, knowing she’s torturing herself over money. Both the one I’m accepting and what we’ll end up using to keep her safe. There’s one way I can always be sure she’s safe, and mine. “Marry me.”

She turns, her eyes opening wide in surprise, almost as much as my mother’s.

While I knew this was going to happen, I’m not prepared at the moment. “I don’t have a ring right now, but—”

“Wait.” Mom brings up her hand, pulling a wide, intricately woven ring off her finger. “Will this do?” It’s one she’s worn ever since I can remember. One that’s a favorite.

“Miss Josie…” Nicole shakes her head, turning from her to me as I take the ring. “Derrick, you don’t have to do this.”

“Nicole Fuentes,” I continue, dismissing her concern even while she’s chewing on her bottom lip. “Will you marry me? I love you, and I want you with me, always.”

Her shoulders relax, and she offers a sweet smile. “Yes,” she says, tears starting again. “I’d be honored to marry you.”

I tip her head up for a kiss, swallowing her own declaration. That’s for my ears only the first time, so I savor the unspoken words, and anticipate the next moment we’ll be alone together.

Addler and Ezequiel come back in as I put the ring on her finger. His eyes go wide as he takes in the scene. “Hey, this is fantastic.” His gaze shimmers more gold than green as an infectious smile covers his face.

“I’ll be damned.” Ezequiel grins.

“Let me go get the girls and the champagne—uh, grape juice.” He turns on his heel, disappearing down the hall. “Champagne and grape juice for everyone.”

Keith comes back, looking at Mom thoughtfully.

“Everything went well?” she asks.

“Yes, he’s getting paperwork updated.” He focuses on her hand while she folds her fingers in her lap. “So are you ready for a new ring on that finger?”

“Keith.” That note in her voice says he’s about to be shot down. To his benefit, Keith takes it on the chin, nodding with understanding.

Both Nicole and I turn to her. “Let me up,” she whispers, moving to sit beside me.

Despite the fact he denied who I was all my life, I have to ask. “Why?” After everything that’s happened over the last weeks, because, like always, I need an answer.

“What?” she asks, caught by surprise at my question.

“I didn’t miss when he said you were the love of his life earlier,” I remind her. “And neither did you.”

She lowers her head, her attention on the floor. After a handful of seconds, she starts blinking rapidly. I take her hand, encouraging her to say something. “I’ve taken…so much from him,” she confesses in a ragged whisper.

“Josie—”

“No.” She shakes her head, bringing up her wrist to clear the tears. She turns to me. “I kept you from him,” she explains.

I look to Keith, but he retains a neutral expression.

“I’m sorry,” she says at a full cry. I pull the chair closer and go to her, wrapping my arms around her slender frame. “I know I made mistakes, Derrick. But I did what I thought was best for you.” She draws in a ragged breath. “I wanted to protect you from that world…I didn’t want you to end up like-like S-S-Simon.”

“I can understand that.” After everything I’ve gone through since the knowledge became public, I can’t blame her.

“And I couldn’t live with being called a whore.” Tears roll down her face. “My mother…”

I grimace, knowing my grandmother would not have been so understanding. “You certainly aren’t that,” I assure her.

“No,” Keith agrees. “Never that.” He turns to me. “I want you to know the whole story.”

“You don’t have to.” I don’t know that I’m ready to hear what he has to say.

“I think I do.” He presses his lips into a firm line. “My wife at the time figured out I was going to file for divorce,” he recalls. “She must have put something in my food.” He shakes his head. “Because although we were living separate lives by then, I woke up beside her with no memory of what happened or how I got there.”

“What a horrible woman,” Nicole whispers from next to me.

“Well, you saw the product of that night.” He blows out a breath. “Josie discouraged me from leaving, I shouldn’t, not when there was a baby on the way.”

Mom sniffles, nodding her agreement.

“Nine months later, on the day Simon was born, she served me with divorce papers.” He nods his head. “Had the guy find me right in front of the area where you can view the babies.”

“Classy.” The word slips out before I can catch it.

“She’s the one who would have me labeled a whore to anyone who’d listen,” Mom whispers.

Yes, I could see that. Nicole rubs her shoulder, trying to console her.

“But that meant I was free.” he smiles. “I wasn’t the one leaving a wife and child to marry another woman.”

Pressing my lips together, I turn to Mom. “But she didn’t see it that way.”

“No,” he confirms.

I squeeze Mom’s hand. Having a daughter who’s a single mother was bad enough for my grandmother to handle. Considering her to be a home-wrecker, too, would have been devastating.

“Now that everything’s out in the open, why don’t you give this a chance?” I suggest. “Unless you don’t feel the same way about him.”

Her expression is all the answer I need. “I love him.” She nods. “I don’t deserve you, but I do.” She turns to Keith. “I do love you, with all my heart.”

“Damn, where’s a jeweler when you need one,” I say under my breath.

“I have a ring.” He reaches into his coat pocket pulling out a jewelry box that looks like it’s had better days. He opens it to show her a brilliant diamond. “Apart from the first time, I’ve asked her to marry me every year, on your birthday.”

I swallow a knot of emotion as Nicole wipes away tears.

“Marry me, Josie,” he asks, with the smallest bit of hope.

She’s stuck, unable to utter a word, so I take the opportunity to speak my mind. “He may have missed being a good father.” She turns, her eyes brimming with tears again and nods slowly. “But you can let him be a good grandfather to the baby we’re expecting.”

“Oh.” Her voice cracks, and she nods quicker, a smile breaking through the tears for us. “Yes. Yes, he will.”

“I will?” he whispers.

She nods, a laugh bubbling up. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

He jumps up…my father jumps up, pulling her into his arms and holding her tight. His gaze, grateful and happy, reaches me from above her head. “Thank you…son.”

I smile, not ready for “dad” just yet, but not as far away as I was an hour ago. “Welcome to the family.”

Addler returns with several bottles. “Looks like we have something else to celebrate here.” The line of people file in behind him.