Queen of Harte's Read online

  Anthony’s face had worry scribbled all over it. Eva looked into the back to check that Daniel was still asleep before she started talking.

  ‘Panic’s over, Anthony. Julian is okay. He’s started dialysis.’

  ‘At this hour of the night?’ Anthony squawked.

  ‘Shh,’ Eva said, flicking her head towards Daniel.

  ‘Sorry, sorry. But that’s odd.’

  ‘It’s Julian we’re talking about. Odd is normal.’

  ‘True,’ Anthony beamed, brightly.

  ‘Okay, I have a couple of favours to ask. I’m sorry; I know you must be exhausted and this is way outside working hours,’ Eva apologised.

  ‘I’m here as Julian’s friend now, so don’t worry about any of that, Miss Andrews.’

  ‘Well, then you’re here as my friend, too…and, please, call me Eva.’

  ‘Eva,’ Anthony said with a nod.

  ‘Okay, first…where in the hell can I get some good coffee?’

  ‘Not a problem,’ Anthony laughed, ‘I’ll sort that. And second?’

  ‘Can you take Daniel back to my hotel room and stay with him?’ Eva passed Anthony a key. ‘I’m not sure what time Mia is due to land but someone needs to watch him in the meantime.’

  ‘Absolutely.’

  ‘And one last thing. Would you let Mia know that Julian is okay? I think I completely freaked her out.’

  ‘Eva, you’re a sweetheart. It’s probably not my place to say this, but I don’t recognise Mr. Harte since you walked into his life. I only realise now that I’d never actually seen him happy before. You make him happy.’ Anthony paused and shook his head. ‘Apologies, that was way out of line.’

  ‘Not at all, Anthony. We’re friends now; don’t forget. Friends don’t have lines.’

  ***

  Julian smiled as Eva walked back into the room, carrying two takeaway coffees. A small paper bag swung from her finger and he could smell pastries of some sort. He was starving.

  ‘Hey, you. I was beginning to think you’d gotten lost trying to find your way out of this place,’ Julian joked.

  Eva laughed. ‘Well, actually, I nearly did. You Irish aren’t big fans of street signs are you? Sorry I was so long. We had to circle around trying to find somewhere open to get coffee. It’s only from a gas station so probably not very good, but definitely better than that hospital crap.’

  ‘It’s fine. Thank you.’ Julian reached for a cup and enjoyed the warmth of the paper cup in his hand. ‘So c’mon. Are we going to fill all night with small talk or are you going to ask some questions?’

  For once, Julian hoped she dug deep. All the secrets were exhausting. He had some heavy shit to share with her, and he needed her wanting the answers. He wasn’t going to tell her anything she wasn’t ready to hear. But he had a feeling that she was finally ready to hear it all.

  Eva slipped off her jacket and sat in the armchair next to him. Her leg brushing his as she got comfortable. Her skinny jeans clung to every inch of her, leaving his imagination running wild. Christ, he ached to touch her.

  ‘Okay, shoot,’ Julian said, taking a gulp of coffee.

  ‘I’m starting with important stuff.’

  ‘Start with whatever you like.’

  ‘Did you listen to the tape?’ Eva asked, looking into his eyes.

  ‘I didn’t have to.’

  Julian watched with mild amusement as Eva’s face fell. ‘I didn’t have to because I already knew what it was going to say,’ he said. ‘I think I’ve known for years. Certainly all my adult life, but it was only ever in the back of my head. When I was eight, I was certain I had started the fire. And that had always stuck with me. Even though I now know it would be physically impossible for a blaze to take hold of the house that fast without an illegal acceleratant of some sort used, I still can’t shake that feeling of guilt that I had when I was a child. I know the truth, Eva. And I love you for wanting to share it with me. But I will always feel like it was my fault. Even if I didn’t start it.’ Julian exhaled deeply through his mouth. ‘I didn’t stop it, and in my mind, that’s just as bad.’

  ‘Is there anything I can say to make you feel different? I wish I could make it stop hurting you.’ Eva stretched her arm out and placed her hand just above his knee.

  Julian looked into her beautiful green eyes. He ached to rip her clothes of and feel her bare skin against his. He wanted to feel her pussy tight around his cock. He needed to bury himself deep inside her. Because when he was close to her, that close, then nothing else in the world existed. Not even the past.

  ‘Did you go into the house tonight?’ Eva said, dragging her teeth across her bottom lip.

  ‘I’ve been back there many times over the years,’ Julian said. ‘I’ve even thought about pumping some money into the old place and restoring it to its former glory. It was beautiful, back then. But I never had the balls to go inside. I was always so shit scared of what I’d see inside. But something about you being there with me tonight changed that.’

  Eva's face brightened, and Julian could see she was proud of him. He hadn’t felt anyone be proud of him in a very long time. Every achievement, every million made or company acquired, the growth of his business to an empire—it was always missing something. He’d never really known what. Not until that very moment. It was missing someone to be proud of him. God, it felt so good to see the pride in her face. Christ! If he didn’t fuck her soon, he was going to explode.

  ‘Was it how you remembered?’ Eva said, her voice pulling him back into the moment.

  Eva was shifting on her chair and Julian knew she was tiptoeing around the questions, but she didn’t need to. He wanted to talk about it. Talk about it with her. Only her. Thinking about it didn’t hurt like it usually did. It actually felt good to remember. He’d been so haunted by the memories of his family when he should have been clinging to them because they were all he had left.

  ‘Yes. It was exactly how I remember. It was…surreal.’

  Eva stood up. Julian tilted his head back to look up at her face and he reached up to wrap his free arm around her waist.

  ‘Thank you,’ he whispered.

  ‘It’s all going to be okay, baby,’ Eva whispered. ‘It’s all going to be okay.’

  Julian sucked some air through his teeth and dropped his head and his hands. He felt Eva jump.

  ‘What is it? Are you in pain?’ she asked, her eyes racing all over him.

  ‘Eva, sit back down,’ Julian ordered, keeping his voice as level as possible. This was going to be hard enough without letting her see that he was actually scared.

  Eva did as he asked and her eyes burned into him with worry.

  ‘I’m sick, Eva.’

  ‘I know, baby,’ Eva said as her hands rushed to his knees and she ran her fingers up and down his calves. ‘But you’ve started the dialysis now. It’ll be okay.’

  ‘This is a stopping gap. And I know you know that. That’s why I need everything in order. All the legal shit, you know. I need to know that you’re okay.’

  Eva’s eyes widened. Julian knew that she understood. It hurt to see her take in the gravity of what he was saying.

  ‘Julian, no.’ Eva shook her head. ‘Is this why you want me to go back to New York?’ she asked.

  ‘I might not always be here. I want you to be happy.’

  ‘But I’m only happy with you.’

  Julian exhaled sharply. He needed to approach this differently. She was becoming too emotional.

  ‘Eva, will you marry me?’

  Eva’s eyes almost burst out of her head, and despite the intensity of the moment, Julian wanted to laugh. That was the ugliest face he’d ever seen her make and all he could think about was how much it made him want to kiss her.

  ‘What happened to Mr. I-won’t-wear-a-monkey-suit-and-march-up-the-aisle?’

  ‘I still won’t. I’ve explained before that marriage is just a contract. A piece of paper.’

  Eva sat back down and Julian watched as
the excitement of seconds before drained from her face. She was a mess of emotions and mixed-up facial expressions. He could understand that her head must have been all over the place. He was throwing a lot at her. But he knew she could keep up, even if it hurt like hell.

  Julian hated that he was upsetting her. But she needed to understand that everything he was doing, every decision he made, from the very first day she walked into his office, was always for her. For her protection. And now that the shit had hit the fan and things were spiralling out of his control, it would be a hell of a lot easier to leave everything to her if they were married.

  Eva was already named as the main benefactor in his will. He’d had his lawyers draw up a new will before he went into Vertigo. But there would be red tape and legal bollocks to sieve through once he died. She’d lose half the inheritance in tax. But not if they were married. He wanted her to have it all. Everything! Including his name.

  ‘A contract? Just some legal mumbo jumbo to get some tax credits, right?’ Eva said.

  ‘That’s a crass way of looking at it but, yes, that’s what it boils down to.’

  ‘So not two people who are madly in love and want to spend the rest of their life together?’

  ‘A piece of paper has nothing to do with being in love, Eva. It’s all financial.’

  ‘So, is this just about money for you?’ Eva was shaking her head.

  ‘It’s about making sure you’re okay. I don’t need a piece of paper to show you that I’m in love with you. And if I do, then I’m not the man I thought I was.’

  ‘I know you love me, Julian. But the way you’re talking now….I’m scared….’

  ‘I know. But the contracts needs to be in place. Eva, it’s important stuff. Legal shit that needs all the I’s dotted and T’s crossed.’

  ‘Is this how you proposed to Mia?’

  Julian swallowed hard. His throat was dry, and he could murder a gin and tonic. His doctor’s drinking in moderation advice was bollocks. He knew Eva’s business head was not in the room.

  ‘I’d appreciate it if you left Mia out of this,’ Julian said.

  ‘Me?’ Eva banged her chest with her clenched fist. ‘Me leave her out of this! You’re the one who keeps dragging her in. You and your rules, and paperwork, and crossed T’s. I know about the other paperwork, Julian. I know you’re hiding something from me, still. Something Mia is involved in. God, do you know how that makes me feel? That even now, even when you’re asking me to be your wife, you’re still letting her in where you’re pushing me out.’

  Julian dropped his head back and groaned. He was trying not to lose his temper as he prepared for whatever odd conclusion Eva had come to based on some bullshit someone had told her.

  ‘What the fuck are you talking about, Eva?’ Julian asked dryly.

  ‘A mountain of paperwork with my name all over it. Ring any bells?’

  Julian ran his fingers across his eyes as he digested what Eva had just said. He’d been hoping to surprise her, but damn, Pam had a big mouth.

  ‘It’s a charity,’ he said eventually.

  ‘Okay? And what the hell does it have to do with me?’

  ‘It’s the Andrews Charity.’

  Eva didn’t reply and Julian couldn’t tell if she wanted to slap him or kiss him. He braced himself knowing it could go either way.

  ‘The Da Lucas don’t get to win, Eva. They just fucking don’t. Look at what they’ve done to us. I want everything they own. Even down to the goddamn stationery in their fucking office. And I want them to know who took it. I want them to suffer like we did.’

  ‘Julian, what have you done?’ Eva stuttered.

  Julian smirked seeing the worry on Eva’s face.

  ‘It’s all legal and legit, Eva. The Da Lucas are royally fucked over and the best part is I get a nice little tax break for the trouble.’

  ‘What does that have to do with Mia?’

  Julian flicked his eyes to the machine behind him. ‘I’m a little incapacitated at the moment. Mia is a good businesswoman; I knew she’d get the best deal. She flew over to New York to negotiate the terms on my behalf. Her involvement is purely business, Eva.’

  ‘Okay. Thank you for explaining.’ Eva’s cheeks flushed.

  ‘You’re welcome,’ Julian said enjoying watching Eva’s body language soften.

  ‘Why the Andrews Charity? Not the Harte?’ Eva asked.

  ‘Because it’s not mine. It’s yours. Yours and Melissa’s and your mother’s too, if she wants to be a part of it.’

  ‘I…I…I don’t understand.’

  ‘Da Luca had several properties; a little seedy but nothing some paint won’t sort out. With the whole family behind bars, there are a lot of prostitutes out of work. If someone doesn’t look after them, they’ll end up in some other shite hole club selling themselves for whatever dirty bastard runs the place. It’s a vicious world out there, Eva. These girls have nothing and no other choice. They are trapped.’

  ‘You want to help them?’ Eva said.

  ‘I want you to help them. If you want to.’

  ‘Yeah. I mean, of course I’d help them, if I could. No one should have to live that kind of life.’

  Eva ran her finger up and down Julian’s thigh. It tickled. He liked it.

  ‘Good,’ Julian said. ‘So you agree; you’ll take the role?’

  ‘What role? You’re going to have to spell it out for me, Julian. You’ve just told me a million different things tonight. I’m pretty confused right now.’

  ‘I want you to head up the charity. It’s all yours,’ Julian grinned contently. ‘Funding isn’t an issue. You can take what you need to get things off the ground.’

  ‘What? I don’t know anything about all that stuff?’

  Eva looked scared.

  ‘You’ve a better business head on your shoulders than you think you have. Stop doubting yourself. I never doubt you. I know it’ll be hard to start. I’ll make sure Mia gives you all the support you need. It’s in her interest, too.’

  ‘What? Is the charity hers, too? Like partners?’ Eva asked.

  ‘No. All yours. But it is part of the Ignite family of companies.’

  ‘And she has a reputation to uphold,’ Eva said, nodding.

  ‘Yes, that. And she also has a share in the company,’ Julian admitted.

  ‘A share?’ Eva’s eyes widened.

  Julian laughed. He laughed even more when he saw the frustration on Eva’s face because he was laughing.

  ‘You will receive a ninety percent stake of Ignite Technologies. The other ten percent is divided between Mia and Daniel, at five percent each.’

  ‘What? Julian, that’s crazy. It’s your company. You can’t just give it away. You’re scaring me, talking like this.’

  Eva stood up and ran her hands down her body, like straightening out her clothes would straighten out her head. It was adorable and Julian desperately wanted to kiss her.

  ‘Eva, I’m dying,’ Julian said, the words cold and icy as he said them.

  ‘No. No…you’re getting treatment now. It’s all going to be okay. I know it’s scary, but this hospital has some of the best renal doctors in the world.’

  ‘You’ve been doing your research.’ Julian smiled. ‘I told you, you have a good business head on your shoulders’

  ‘Yes, well, thank you. And, anyway, there’s loads they can do while they’re waiting for a transplant donor. It’s a bit of an inconvenience coming into the hospital twice a week for dialysis, but it’s manageable.’

  ‘Eva, look at me,’ Julian said, reaching for Eva’s face.

  The tears glistening in Eva’s eyes were breaking Julian’s heart.

  ‘It’s not looking good, baby. I wasn’t even supposed to start dialysis this soon. But my body couldn’t hack it any longer. I’m not going down without a fight. But even I know you can’t win ‘em all.’

  ‘You’re talking like you’re giving up. There are options to explore. Did you read the leaflet?’ Eva wa
s fidgeting with her nails.

  ‘They’re just words on a page, Eva. Guidelines and possibilities. It’s not even very well written.’

  ‘…but there’s the donor option…’ Eva said bending down to Julian’s level.

  ‘Why do you think I discharged myself from the hospital in Limerick?’

  Eva shrugged her shoulders. ‘Honestly?’

  ‘Yes. You always want me to be honest with you. I want your honest opinion now.’

  Eva pulled her body up until she was standing like an arrow with her head pointing towards the ceiling. ‘I think you discharged yourself because you’re a stubborn bastard and you couldn’t handle anyone telling you what to do. And that includes the doctors and nurses trying to save your life.’

  ‘You really do know me, Miss Andrews. I am stubborn. Stubborn as hell. But I’m not a fucking idiot. If there were a fix to this, I’d have stayed there. I’d have put up with their shite food and the clinical stench. I like games, but one thing I’m never prepared to play with is life and death. They could run a hundred more tests and they would all have come back with the same answer. I have a rare blood and tissue type. I’m as good as fucked. It’s almost impossible to find a donor. My only shot is a relative…and, you know how that story ends.’

  ‘Daniel,’ Eva said softly.

  Julian expression darkened, and he shook his head.

  ‘Have you asked Mia; asked to have him tested? She was once your wife, Julian, and I know she loves you. She’d do anything she could to help. I know she would.’

  ‘Eva, we’ve been over this. I told you that Mia needed security. Marriage was a psychological thing with her. It was never emotional or anything to do with love. She needed to know I was committed to taking care of her…and Daniel. She couldn’t just take my word for it. She needed proof. The marriage certificate was proof. I was all about business, Eva. And what’s the most important thing in business? A contract! If I was prepared to tie myself into a lifelong contract, then she knew I had no intention of abandoning her like her family did.

  ‘So it was a test. She needed a piece of paper, not a husband. And she was happy to screw you over to get what she wanted.’

  ‘She didn’t screw me over, Eva.’