All Or Nothing (The Alpha Brotherhood #2)(39)
Author: Catherine Mann

The familiar sounds drifted from the casino below and wrapped around her, echoing bells and whistles, cheers of victory and ahhhs of disappointment. Glasses clinked as the drinks flowed in the resort, while boaters and swimmers splashed in the ocean. This place had its differences from Monte Carlo, a more casual air to the high-end vacationers in sarongs and flowing sundresses, but there were still plenty of jewels around necks, in ears…and in navels.

She wasn’t in much of a gambling mood. Besides, she’d left her rings behind.

What had Conrad thought as he looked at them? Did he have any regrets about pushing to finalize the divorce? How could she have been so wrong to hope he would come around this time and fight for their marriage the way he tackled every other challenge in his life?

God, she wanted to scream out her pain and frustration and she would have had she been alone. She turned to Hillary, who was stretched out on a lounger with a big floppy hat and an umbrella to protect her freckled complexion.

“Thanks for taking me in until Salvatore can clear everything up. Once he gives the go-ahead, I’ll be out of your hair and back to work.”

Hillary looked over the top of her sunglasses, zinc oxide on her freckled nose. “You know you never have to work again if you don’t want. I don’t mean to sound crass, but your divorce settlement will be quite generous.”

Jayne hadn’t wanted Conrad’s money. She wanted the man. “I don’t see myself as the dilettante type.”

“Understandable, of course.” Hillary twirled her straw in the fruity beverage, not looking the least like an undercover agent herself. “During my years planning events, I met many different types of people—everything from conspicuous consumers to truly devoted philanthropists. It’s amazing to have the financial freedom to make a difference in such a sweeping fashion. Just something to think about.”

Like opening a clinic in Africa? Conrad had definitely used his money and influence to change the world for the better. Why the hell couldn’t he accept the happiness he’d earned?

The sound of the French doors opening pulled her attention back to the present.

Hillary sat up quickly, her fingers landing on the folded towel that covered a handgun. “Troy?”

A tiny canine ball of energy burst through in a frenzy of barking. Jayne gaped, stunned. Surely it couldn’t be her little…

“Mimi?”

Her French bulldog raced on short legs in a black and white blur straight into her arms. Oh, my God, it was her dog. Mimi covered her chin in lapping kisses.

Jayne’s heart tumbled over itself in her chest because there was just one way Mimi could have gotten here. Only one person who would have known how important it was to have her dog with her right now.

The final question that remained? Had Conrad delivered the dog in person as a peace offering or just arranged the travel in a final heartbreaking gesture of thoughtfulness? She squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face in Mimi’s neck to hold off looking for a moment longer, to hold on to the possibility that her husband might be standing behind her even now.

Bracing herself, she looked back and found, thank God, Conrad stood in the open doorway. Her heart leaped into her throat and her eyes feasted on the sight of him after a nightmarish day of thinking she would never see him again. He wore jeans, a button-down shirt with rolled-up sleeves—and dark circles under his haunted eyes.

She didn’t rejoice in the fact that he’d been miserable, too—okay, maybe she did a little—but above all she wanted him to be happy. He deserved to be happy. They both did.

A rustling sounded from the lounger beside her as Hillary stood. “Is there word on Zhutov?”

Jayne sat upright, swinging her legs to the side of her own lounger. Why hadn’t she considered he might be here for that reason? If Zhutov had broken Conrad’s cover, ending his career with Interpol, then she would never know if he would have returned to her on his own. Trust would be all the tougher when they already had so much between them.

Bottom line, she wanted what was best for him, his cover safe, even if that meant he walked away from her.

Conrad shook his head. “No word on Zhutov yet. I’m here for Jayne. Just Jayne.”

He stared straight into her eyes as he spoke, his voice deep and sure. She almost forgot to breathe. And while she was disappointed not to have Salvatore give them the all clear, she couldn’t help but be grateful that whatever Conrad had to say wasn’t motivated by losing his work with Interpol.

Hillary grabbed her bag and her hat. “I’ll, uh, just step into the kitchen and make, um… Hell. I’ll just leave.” Her hand fell on Jayne’s shoulder lightly. “Call if you need me.”

Angling sideways past Conrad, Hillary slipped away into the suite, closing the door behind her.

Jayne hugged her dog closer as Mimi settled into her lap. “This was thoughtful of you. How did you get her here?”

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and eyed her warily. “I phoned your friend Anthony and asked for help retrieving the dog.”

“You spoke to him?”

Conrad nodded, pushing away from the door and stepping closer. “I did. He’s a nice guy actually, and he was glad to pick up Mimi and take her to the airport because he knew seeing her would make you smile.” He crouched beside her, one knee on the ground. “Which I have to tell you, makes me feel like a mighty small bastard, because I should have thought to do this sooner. I should have thought to do and say a lot of things. But I’m here to make that right.”

The hope she’d restrained in her heart swelled as she heard him out, her thoughtful husband who knew she would appreciate her precious dog far more than a lifeless diamond bracelet. “I’m listening.”

“I’m sorry for telling you we should make the divorce final. I was certain I would let you down again, so I acted like an idiot.” He drew in a shaky breath as if…nervous. The great Conrad Hughes, Wall Street Wizard and casino magnate was actually anxious. “I’m a numbers man, always have been, ever since I was a kid counting out my French fries into equal piles. I’m not good at seeing the middle ground in a situation. But I’m getting there.”

“What do you propose?” she asked and saw no hesitation in his eyes as he opened up and answered her.

“Compromise.” He met her gaze full-on, such sincerity in his espresso dark eyes they steamed with conviction. “On my part this time. When we were together before I asked you to do all the changing and insulted you by giving nothing in return.”