‘I’m half Irish. My father grew up in Ballbriggan. It was his dream to bring Hartmann Hotels home to Dublin. He died before he could see it come to fruition. I won’t,’ he states, matter-of-factly.
‘Ahh.’ No wonder he’s so passionate about this project—and so pissed at my brothers trying to block its progress. It’s his way of commemorating his father. Especially with the way he struggled with how his mother chose to grieve. Or not grieve, as the case may be. The memory of Cole’s hurt on holiday is as fresh today as it was all those months ago. ‘What was your father called?’
‘Tiernan.’ His voice softens. ‘He would have loved you like a daughter.’
‘How do you know?’ I whisper.
‘Well, for a start, you’re Irish. And you’re a success, strong-willed, and stunning. What’s not to love?’
I wish I could say my family would love him. Truthfully, if they hadn’t both sabotaged each other’s business plans, there might have been some hope. But now? There’s not even a modicum of it.
My parents don’t have anything against Cole though. Even if my brothers would cheerfully have him killed. My mother insists Dad is kept out of the loop of all business dealings now. Maybe I should start by approaching them. Though I don’t want to give him another heart attack.
‘There’s still so much we have to learn about each other,’ he sighs.
‘I’m looking forward to it.’ I tell him truthfully.
‘Me too, sweetheart. Me too.’ He pauses for a second. ‘Will you come to Skerries later?’
Felstead won’t be happy. But fuck him. He’s not my keeper.
‘Yes.’ The words are out of my mouth before I can stop myself. Falling asleep with Cole’s huge hands holding my bump is almost as therapeutic as the multiple orgasms he delivers. ‘I’m going to have to start leaving a toothbrush at this rate,’ I joke.
‘I sent Belle out to get you one today.’ He chuckles long and low. ‘Great minds think alike, right? Want me to send Gabriel over to collect you?’
Gabriel is Cole’s head of security. I’d rather he was with him at all times in case Killian finds out the truth about us—because he will do at some point. It’s inevitable. In fact, I’m pretty sure if he weren’t still obsessively searching for Jack O’Connor, he’d have made it his number one priority to find out who knocked up his sister. ‘No, thanks, Tate will drive me. I’ll leave in an hour.’
‘Where is Tate?’ Cole asks.
‘In the gym.’
‘Ah, I suppose being a bionic bodyguard takes maintenance.’ A hint of dry humour hangs on his words, but there’s nothing funny about what he says next. ‘I think you should introduce me to your family.’
‘What?’ My voice hitches. ‘Do you have a death wish?’
‘Far from it. But I’m sick of sneaking around.’
I bolt upwards on the couch. ‘It’s been a week.’
‘Exactly.’ His tone is laced with determination. ‘I want to issue an official statement to the press announcing our relationship and your pregnancy before some cheap tabloid gets hold of the story.’
‘You can’t be serious?’
‘I’ve never been more serious in my life, sweetheart.’
Chapter Thirty-Nine
COLE
If my girlfriend wasn’t already the most sought after interior designer in Dublin, I’d have hired someone to come in and kit out the nursery with the best that money can buy. Instead, I sent Belle out for as many parenting books as she could find on her lunch break. I have to feel like I’m at least doing something productive in anticipation of his arrival.
My offer on the house was accepted. I knew it would be. No one in their right mind would turn down sixteen million euro in cash.
Luke is apparently doing well in rehab. Amy or Amanda or whatever her name is called yesterday to provide an update. The timing, much like Zara strutting into my office, is eerily uncanny.
I stride towards the glass wall overlooking the Irish Sea, and tilt my face up to the sky. I’d bet my fucking life my father has a hand in it somehow. To the Becketts, I might be the devil in a three-piece suit, but I’m pretty certain I have my own guardian angel watching out for me. I raise my glass of Macallan skyward. ‘Slainte, Dad.’
The purr of an engine approaching alerts me to the arrival of my girlfriend.
