Page 18 of Robert

You are her hero.” He took a nervous sip of his drink, eyes widening as it slid smoothly down. Everything about the man was impressive. The fact that Robert Faulkner had remade himself and was now a multi-billionaire was pretty damn awesome.

“Am I?” Robert asked mildly as he wandered over to the window. His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at the two women standing by the pond and wondered what the hell they were talking about.

“I love my brother.” Cat knew that she sounded defensive, but she couldn’t help it.

“I don’t have a sibling, but that’s admirable.” Sonya knew the girl resented her but did not let it bother. She was not really in a relationship with Robert. But the girl would not know that.

“I want him to be happy. He deserves it.” Cat continued fiercely. “He works so hard, and, in the past, he went through hell. He deserves a woman who is not into him for his money.” She stared at Sonya as she said it. “You went to the same school.”

“Yes,” Despite the situation, she went still.

“You were one of those who looked down their noses at my brother.”

“Catherine…”

“No.” The girl held up a hand. “I want to have my say, if you don’t mind.” When Sonya nodded, she plunged on. “I want someone for him. He told me you have changed, and you were not like the others, well, I wasn’t there, so I don’t know. He needs some sort of stability in his life.”

“And you’re not certain I am right for him.” Sonya intuited quietly. “I cannot blame you for being protective. I just want youto know that I admire your brother and am very proud of his accomplishments.”

“You grew up wealthy.” It was said like an accusation.

“I did and was spoiled and entitled. Now I am trying to make a difference.” She forced a smile. “You do not know me and there is no reason to believe me, but I am not the person I was before.”

The girl stared at her for a few seconds, before responding. “We’ll see.”

*****

“What are you doing?”

Robert stared at the glowing tip of his cigar as if contemplating the question. “I am smoking and having a drink.”

“You were supposed to quit.” Cat slid into the room, and he had to tamp down an impatient sigh. After seeing Sonya off and torturing himself with the scent of her, he had come straight in the den to try and forget that his bed was decidedly lonely, and he was going to have a hell of a time sleeping.

“Yes, mother. What are you doing up? I thought you had an early shift tomorrow?”

“I came to check on you.”

He shot her an amused glance and propped his feet on top of his desk. “That’s not your job.”

His sister shrugged self-consciously as she took a chair in front of the desk. “I am worried about you.”

His brows shot up. “Why?”

“You really like this woman.”

“Her name is Sonya, and I might as well tell you that we are getting married next weekend. Nothing fancy, just an intimate ceremony at her mother’s place.”

Cat stared at her brother in shock. “You cannot be serious.”

“I am very serious. We have decided we suit each other and figured there is no need to wait.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because I want to.” He sighed at the look on her face and hated that he was deceiving her.

“Look darling, I know you think you have my best interests at heart…”

“I love you and want you to be happy!”

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