Billionaire Baby Dilemma

Eleven

Three days later, Devin climbed from a taxi into the bright sunshine in front of the Seattle courthouse. She straightened her blazer and smoothed the matching skirt. Then she ran light fingertips over her hair to make sure everything was in place. She wanted to look every inch the credible witness and capable mother-figure for this.

Before she could move, Lucas appeared in front of her on the sidewalk, grasping her by the arm and pulling her over to one side. “Are you out of your mind?” he demanded.

She’d braced herself for seeing him today, made sure her anger was fresh and her defenses were firmly in place. But the minute he was there in front of her, memories pushed at the wall she’d built up, and her chest contracted with emotion.

“What the hell happened to you?” he growled. “One minute we were together, and the next you’d disappeared into the night.”

“Together?” she reflexively choked out, commanding her legs to start moving. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t talk to him directly. Everything this smooth-talking, persuasive man had to say, could be said in front of the judge.

She fought his grip as she marched toward the steps.

He kept pace beside her, and she glanced around for her lawyers. Steve had said they’d meet her here.

“I trusted you,” Lucas persisted.

Devin clamped her jaw, refusing the temptation to engage in a debate.

“You’re handing it to him. You have to know that. You’re betraying me, and you’re betraying Amelia.”

“Betraying?” Her low voice shook with repressed fury.

“Yes. We could have worked this-”

“You betrayed me. I was your backup plan, Lucas. You’re as bad as Konrad. You’re worse than Konrad.”

Lucas’s hand dropped from her arm, and it took her a second to realize he’d stopped dead in his tracks.

Good. She hadn’t wanted to talk to him anyway. She increased her pace. She was only steps from the door. Once she was inside, she’d be home free-nothing to do but testify and win permanent guardianship of Amelia. Nothing.

But he caught up again, tone incredulous. “What did you say?”

She ignored him.

“Devin.”

She gave in to temptation. “You heard me. Well, really, I heard you talking to Byron. ‘Devin. Me. Babies.’ I believe that’s an exact quote.”

Lucas was silent for a full, stunned second. “You misunderstood.”

She whirled to face him, jamming her thumb against her chest. “I misunderstood. Monica misunderstood. How many other people misunderstand your despicable conspiracies?”

“My backup plan,” he enunciated, voice scoffing as he leaned in, “was falling in love with you.”

She ignored the constriction of her chest. “Oh, you’re good.”

The man would say anything if he thought it would put her off balance.

“I was telling Byron that if worse came to worst, and we lost Pacific Robotics, I was grateful that I’d still have you.” Lucas’s expression was open and frank, and for a second there, she almost fell for it.

But then she mentally smacked herself, turned on her heel and marched into the courthouse.

Inside, she was swallowed up by Steve’s team of lawyers, who escorted her to the front of the courtroom. She barely heard their last-minute instructions, and though she caught movement in her peripheral vision, so she knew Lucas’s team had sat down, she kept her gaze fixed firmly ahead.

The judge began to speak, but Devin was fighting a ringing in her ears. Her palms were sweating, and her mouth had gone dry. Lucas was lying. He was absolutely lying about falling in love with her.

She needed to concentrate on Amelia. Amelia was back at the San Juan Islands resort with Lexi where they’d spent the last few days. Devin and Lexi had joked about taking a boat to Canada and hiding Amelia until she turned eighteen. Right now, it didn’t seem like such a bad idea.

“Ms. Hartley?” the judge prompted, and the lawyer next to Devin nudged her.

“Yes, Your Honor?”

“Please take the witness stand.”

Devin rose shakily to her feet, surreptitiously smoothing her damp palms down the side of her charcoal-gray skirt. She walked carefully on her high heels, keeping her gaze fixed on points along the walls-the flag, a water pitcher, an antique portrait, the judge’s gavel.

She climbed into the witness stand and swore to tell the truth. She couldn’t wait to tell the truth.

Her lawyer went first, and the opening questions were innocuous, factual. They’d rehearsed them a dozen times. She talked about Monica and Konrad’s whirlwind courtship, the fact that she was surprised at how quickly Monica became pregnant, and that Monica hadn’t known about the inheritance until she’d overheard Lucas and Konrad discussing her pregnancy.

Partway through her testimony, Steve slipped into the courtroom and took a seat at the back of the gallery. There were few other spectators, except for the overflow of lawyers sitting in the gallery benches directly behind each of the tables.

Devin’s lawyer gave her an encouraging nod and a wink, then he sat back down at the table.

One of Lucas’s lawyers stood up. “Did your sister love Konrad Demarco?” he asked without preamble, dropping his pencil and moving from behind the table and into the center of the courtroom.

Devin leaned slightly into the microphone. “I believe she did.”

“What makes you believe she loved him?”

Devin couldn’t help a reflexive glance in Lucas’s direction, reminded of their conversations about what she knew for certain and what she only surmised. “She told me that she loved him.”

“Was she excited to get married?”

“Yes.”

“Was she excited to be pregnant?”

Devin nodded. “Yes.”

“Did your sister believe Konrad loved her?”

Devin hesitated, trying to remember what Monica had specifically said about Konrad’s love for her.

She remembered the wedding photos. She pictured their early months together, Monica with her arms wrapped around Konrad’s neck, his whispered words to her, her grin, the way his hand encircled her waist, the way his eyes lit up when he spoke her name, and the way he watched her from across the room, like nobody else on earth existed.

“Ms. Hartley?”

“I’m sorry.” She blinked to bring the lawyer back into focus. “What was the question?”

“Did your sister believe Konrad loved her?”

“Yes.”

“Would you say they were happy together?”

“At first,” Devin admitted.

“What changed?”

Devin’s glanced drifted to Lucas again. “She found out it was all a scam. Lucas and Konrad wanted Amelia to inherit their grandfather’s estate.”

The lawyer moved closer, his voice going lower, less theatrical. “How did she find this out?”

“She overheard a conversation between Konrad and his brother Lucas.”

“What did they say?”

“That they’d thwart Steve by having Amelia.”

“Any chance your sister misunderstood their meaning?”

“No.”

“Any chance she heard the words out of context?”

“No.”

“How can you be so certain?”

“I spent the next year helping her get over Konrad’s betrayal.”

The lawyer backed off, and Devin took a breath. She tried hard not to meet Lucas’s eyes, but she found her attention drawn in his direction, more and more frequently.

“And what did Konrad do during that year?” asked the lawyer.

“He tried to win her back.” Devin said the words more to Lucas than to anyone else. “He tried every trick in the book to get her and Amelia to come back to him. But she wouldn’t do it.”

Lucas’s lips compressed in a thin line.

“You believe Konrad was insincere?” asked the lawyer.

“Yes.”

The lawyer looked to Lucas, and Lucas gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.

The lawyer cocked his head sideways and waited.

Lucas shook again.

There was some kind of silent argument going on between them.

Then the lawyer turned back to Devin. “Ms. Hartley, I understand you broke into Lucas Demarco’s personal email account.”

Lucas brought his hand down on the table and started to rise, but another lawyer grasped his shoulder to hold him down.

“Ms. Hartley?”

“I didn’t ‘break’ into it.” There’d been no password. It was conceivable that she’d accidentally opened it.

“But you did look at Mr. Demarco’s private emails.”

Devin swallowed. “Yes.”

“Why?”

Her voice came out slightly high-pitched, but the man was beginning to frustrate her. “To prove I was right.”

“And did you prove that?”

Devin resettled herself in the witness chair and told herself to calm down. “I read an email from Lucas to Konrad that said, ‘I’m counting on you.’ They were talking about Monica.”

“And you interpreted that to mean Lucas was counting on Konrad to woo Monica, marry her quickly and have a baby in order to capitalize on their grandfather’s will.”

“Yes.”

“Is that what the email said?”

Devin didn’t understand the question, and she gave her head a reflexive little shake.

“Was the email that specific?” asked the lawyer. “Did it go in to the details of the alleged plot, or did it simply say ‘I’m counting on you’?”

“‘I’m counting on you,’” Devin repeated.

“So, for all you know, Lucas could have been counting on Konrad to pick up a quart of milk on the way home?”

Devin’s lawyer jumped to his feet. “Objection, Your Honor.”

“I’ll allow it,” said the judge.

The lawyer carried on. “They could have been referring to anything.”

“Maybe,” Devin was forced to admit. “But-”

“Why would he try to win her back?” the lawyer shot out, startling Devin.

“Excuse me?”

“Why would Konrad, having already married Monica, already impregnated Monica, clearly having fulfilled the terms of his grandfather’s will. Why would he then spend pretty much every waking minute for the next year trying to win her back?”

Devin hesitated.

Once again, she found her glance going to Lucas.

For some reason, he’d stopped looking aggressive. He almost looked compassionate. Was he feeling sorry for her? Was she doing so badly on the stand that she evoked his pity?

“He wanted her back because he loved her,” said the lawyer.

“Speculation,” said Devin’s lawyer.

“Rephrase,” said the judge.

The lawyer moved closer to Devin, speaking slowly and deliberately. “If Konrad had truly loved Monica, and if she had misunderstood a conversation between him and his brother, and if she had left him, what would you expect him to do?”

Devin paused. She knew she’d walked right into a trap. But there she was. She couldn’t get out.

And the lawyer was right. If she took a giant step back from her sister’s emotional upset, Konrad had done everything a man in love might do. Devin couldn’t be positive he hadn’t loved Monica. Nor could she be positive he’d manipulated her.

The truth came to Devin in a blinding wave.

Lucas was right. He’d been right all along, and she couldn’t lie about it.

She looked directly at Lucas. “I’d expect a man in love to try to win his wife back.”

Lucas gave Devin a ghost of a soft, compassionate smile. He looked genuinely regretful at the turns of events. He couldn’t be, of course. By rights, he should be celebrating.

There was a strangled exclamation from the back of the room, as Steve threw up his hands in disgust.

“I ask again,” said the lawyer to Devin, “is there any chance Monica misunderstood Konrad and Lucas’s conversation?”

“Yes,” Devin admitted, blinking against the sting of tears. Lucas was going to win it all. And he was going to take Amelia away from her. And she’d have to beg him for every second she spent with her niece.

The lawyer looked to Lucas again, and this time Lucas nodded.

“Why did you take Amelia away from the Demarco security last weekend?” asked the lawyer.

Here it was. The final nail in Devin’s coffin. She drew a bracing breath. “I found out Lucas was manipulating me.” She stopped talking, feeling sick to her stomach. Was Lucas really going to make her admit in open court that they’d had an affair.

“Because you overheard a conversation?” asked the lawyer.

Devin nodded. Her throat was closing over and her stomach was in knots.

“Any chance you misunderstood?”

Devin started to shake her head.

But then she stopped, Lucas’s earlier words ringing in her ears. You misunderstood. My backup plan was falling in love with you.

Her horrified gaze flew to him, and he cocked his head, raising his brows as if he was waiting for her to get the punch line.

Could it be? Was it possible?

“Ms. Hartley,” the lawyer continued, “remembering that you are under oath. Are you in love with Lucas Demarco?”

“Your Honor,” objected Devin’s lawyer.

“I don’t see the relevance,” the judge stated, in a warning tone.

“I promise you, it’s relevant,” said Lucas’s lawyer.

The judge hesitated, while Devin’s heart thudded deep in her chest. What should she do? What could she say? She didn’t want to lie under oath, but how she felt about Lucas was none of these people’s business.

While they all waited, Lucas stood and handed a folded note to his lawyer. The man read it and smiled.

The judge held out her hand, and the lawyer dutifully gave her the note.

Then the judge smiled and nodded, handing it back.

Devin braced herself for the question.

“Ms. Hartley, are you-”

“Yes!” she shouted. “Okay? Are you satisfied?” She glared at the judge. What kind of a thing was this to do to a woman?

Lucas’s lawyer handed her the note.

Face hot with mortification, and refusing to meet anyone else’s eyes, she opened up the stupid note. It read:

Full custody to Devin Hartley. Right here. Right now. If she loves me back. And if she’ll agree to marry me.

Devin blinked and read it again, confusion warring with anger, warring with shock.

“One more question, Your Honor?” said the lawyer.

“By all means,” said the judge, her tone tinged with mock capitulation as she rocked back in her high chair.

“Devin,” said the lawyer, “is that a yes?”

Devin glanced up to see two dozen pairs of eyes on her. She looked to Lucas, and the enormity of the situation began to hit her. He loved her. He loved her?

Everything he’d said. Everything he’d done. Their days and nights together, and his affection for Amelia, it was all true?

“Five-minute recess,” said the judge, bringing down her gavel.

Lucas was out of his seat in a shot, rushing to Devin, handing her down from the witness stand and pulling her into his arms.

“I love you,” he told her, his words clear and heartfelt. “And I love Amelia. And I want you to marry me.” Then he spoke over Devin’s shoulder. “Your honor, can we dismiss the case or something?”

The judge met Devin’s gaze and lifted her brows in a question. Devin couldn’t help smiling with joy.

“I’m off at three,” the judge quipped, her interest unabashed. “You know, in case you need someone to officiate.”

Devin grinned, while Lucas laughed.

Steve stomped out of the courtroom.

“Three o’clock is good for me,” said Devin, wrapping her arms around Lucas and leaning into his embrace. “As long as we can get Lexi and Amelia here in time.”

She drew a deep sigh, picturing the glorious years stretching out in front of them. “I love you so much,” she confessed, absorbing Lucas’s warmth and strength.

His lips came down on hers in a thorough kiss. “I’m going to love you forever.”

The judge’s gavel came down one more time. “Bailiff, call the florist. And somebody find these people a ring.”

Devin twisted the simple silver ring around the finger of her left hand while she waited for Lucas to finish reading the galleys for Snarled Traffic in the Information Age. He’d bought her a diamond wedding set a few days after their rushed wedding, but she preferred the original, even if it had been purchased for twenty dollars at a souvenir shop across the street from the courthouse.

The maple leaves outside on the lighted grounds of the mansion flickered red and golden, and a small, gas fire danced in the depths of the stone fireplace in the great room. Amelia had celebrated her first birthday the week before. She was walking now, pulling articles off lower shelves and forcing the mansion staff to rearrange the art objects and antiques.

Lucas flipped the last page of the printed galleys.

“Well?” Devin asked, sitting up straight in the big armchair, feeling unaccountably anxious about his reaction.

He looked up at her and gave a mischievous grin.

“Don’t you dare make me wait,” she admonished.

Lucas came to his feet, crossing the room toward her. “I’d take your advice,” he offered obliquely.

“Yeah?” She tipped her head as he came closer, deciding he meant it as a compliment.

“Especially the part about slowing down to enjoy the people you love.” He took her hands in his and drew her to her feet, a gleam in his slate-gray eyes. “I’m going to enjoy loving you right here and now.”

“That’s not what I meant,” she told him, with a playful smack to his upper arm. Still, she couldn’t help the flutter of her heart as he leaned in for a kiss.

“Really?” His arms snaked around her, tugging her close. “You give the best advice I’ve ever read. And your book clearly stated that I ought to make love a priority in my life.”

She sighed, relaxing into his strength, thinking back to last night, and the night before that, and the one before that. “I believe you already have.”

“Well, we’re still, technically, on our honeymoon.”

“We’ve been married for over three months.”

“I read somewhere that the honeymoon lasts for at least five years.”

“Not in my book, you didn’t.”

“Then, you should add that part.” He kissed her again, deeper this time, and his hand slipped beneath her blouse, sliding its way up her back.

Amelia was already asleep, but there were still a few staff members wandering around the house.

“Lucas,” Devin warned.

“Hmm?”

“Get your hands away from my buttons.”

He chuckled deep in his chest as the doorbell chimed in the front hallway.

Footsteps sounded in the hallway as one of the staff went to answer, and Lucas slowly drew back. He gave Devin a peck on the tip of her nose, whispering, “later.”

Devin was fine with that.

Muffled voices sounded in the distance, and Devin quickly recognized Lexi’s.

“They’re back?” she asked Lucas. “Why didn’t you say something?”

“I didn’t know.”

Just then, Byron’s large frame filled the opening between the hallway and the great room, with Lexi clinging to his arm.

Devin squealed and rushed toward her friend. “How was the honeymoon? Did you like Tahiti?”

Lexi showed off a bare arm. “Take a look at my tan?”

Devin pulled her into a hug. “You look fabulous, healthy, rested.”

The two men shook hands, and Lexi coughed out a laugh. “Not so much on the rested.”

“She slept on the plane,” said Byron, turning to wrap Devin in a warm hug, while Lucas did the same with Lexi.

“First chance I’ve had to sleep in two weeks,” Lexi chided.

“She exaggerates,” said Byron.

Devin drew back. “So, what did you decide? How long can you stay in Seattle?”

With Lexi’s house here and Byron’s ranch near Dallas, there was a pretty big geographical divide to overcome.

Byron and Lexi exchanged a look.

“What?” Devin prompted, hoping Lexi wouldn’t have to leave immediately for Texas.

“I hired a new ranch manager,” said Byron. There was a glow in his eyes, as if he was keeping a secret.

“So, you can spend plenty of time in Seattle?” The hopeful note was clear in Devin’s voice.

Instead of answering, Byron looked to Lucas. “Steve called me.”

Lucas frowned, his eyes narrowing. “What did he want?”

“Out.”

Lucas cocked his head to one side.

“Out of what?” Devin asked.

“Pacific Robotics,” Lexi squealed.

“No way.” But a slow smile was forming on Lucas’s face. “You didn’t.”

“The hell I didn’t,” said Byron. “He seems to think he’s going to take South America by storm. He was looking for a quick sale to raise the capital, and I gave it to him.”

“It has to be approved by the Board,” Lucas drawled.

“I’m pretty sure I’ll have Amelia’s support,” said Byron. The toddler adored her Uncle Byron. “And we brought you a bottle of Macallan Fine and Rare, 1926. Just in case we had to grease the skids.”

Lucas grinned. “I’m liking your chances.”

“Does this mean what I think it means?” Devin was getting impatient.

Lucas tugged her close, tucking her against his body and kissing her temple. “It means, they’re going to live here in Seattle. Byron’s going to be my business partner, and we’re all going to live happily ever after.”