Page 39 of Beauty and the Billionaire Bad*ss

Scarlett

Scarlett entered the living room as Edward had announced his arrival. She knew Carter was still busy in the study but she wanted a moment alone with her father. She needed to tell him how she felt, about what he had done to her, to their family.

She saw him sitting in a chair looking nervous as she walked in. “Scarlett,” he said happily, rising from the chair with his arms outstretched. “You’ve done it.”

“Done what?” Scarlett asked in confusion, staying away from her father.

“Vanquished the enemy,” he explained. “I don’t know how you did it,” his tone was suggestive, “But I’m grateful you did.”

“I’ve done nothing,” Scarlett denied. “Carter is taking whatever action he is because he felt sorry for Chrys, and because I asked him to intervene.”

Rocco frowned. “Then Chrys shall be rewarded for giving such an outstanding performance,” he said jovially.

Scarlett’s mouth dropped open. “Are you saying that you deliberately sent Chrys here, that you aren’t trying to force a marriage between her and Ralf?”

“Of course not,” Rocco said. “She is supposed to marry Ralf in two weeks. I was put out that she ran here to you, allowing Braxton to know I was maneuvering to get the house back. Unlike you, she isn’t always responsible, and she doesn’t always do her family duty. It turns out that her impulsiveness might have brought an end to this unpleasantness though.”

Scarlett shuddered. “It’s more than unpleasantness. If you had any idea how hard it is for Carter to even contemplate releasing you from your obligations—” She paced a few steps from Rocco. “But he is a good man, and he has a conscience.”

“I don’t like this talk,” Rocco said brusquely. “Don’t tell me you’ve done something stupid like falling in love with him.”

Scarlett spun around to confront her father. “I could do worse,” she said. “I could have fallen for a man like you. One without scruples, or any regard for human life.”

Rocco paled and reeled back slightly, grasping the chair for support. “What did you say?” he asked weakly.

“I know all about you.” Scarlett sneered. “I know what you did to Carter, and to his brother-in-law. You may not have done the actual killing, but you’re just as guilty.”

“It was business,” Rocco asserted, fumbling a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his sweaty brow. “They refused to sell me that goddamn chip. My company was floundering, and our lives would have been ruined. We would have lost everything.”

“Our lifestyle wasn’t worth murdering for,” Scarlett retorted. “You had a man killed, and another was scarred for life, for the sake of your comfort. I’m ashamed that I share your genes. I’m ashamed to be a Terini, and I wish there was some way that I could magically undo being your daughter.”

“You ungrateful little bitch.” Rocco balled up his fist. “I’ve done everything for you and your sisters, and this is the gratitude I receive? You embrace my enemy and sell out your own flesh.”

“Your actions weren’t prompted from concern for us. You did what you did for your own selfish reasons.”

Rocco’s expression changed, his eyes narrowed, and lines bracketed his mouth. “Did he get his money’s worth?” he asked in a chilling voice.

Scarlett’s mouth closed, and her last thought flew from her head. “What?”

“Did Braxton enjoy you? Did he get the full value the money he paid for your virginity?”

She snorted. “I know all about your offer, Father. Carter told me about it long before we began any relationship. I also know he didn’t pay you a dime, or you wouldn’t have been selling Chrys to the highest bidder.”

“He did pay me,” Rocco insisted. “He told me he was anxious to ruin the daughter of his greatest enemy, and it was worth paying for.”

Scarlett shrugged, schooling her face into a bland expression. “You’re a liar,” she said firmly, knowing that Carter had not paid for her virginity. If he’d done so, he wouldn’t have waited so long to claim his prize. “I do love him,” she freely admitted, “And I support him completely. If he wants to destroy you, I’ll be standing by, applauding.” She left him in the sitting room, passing Darren on her way upstairs.

Carter

“What’s this all about?” Rocco demanded entering his study. He had sent Darren to retrieve him and now he stood by the door as a precaution. “I don’t appreciate being summoned from my home to waste more than two hours in a car just to meet with you.”

“It will be worth your time,” Carter said blandly, barely restraining his anger.

“How so?” Rocco asked, his interest peaked.

Carter leaned back in his chair, bracing his feet on the desk. “Your daughter came to my home today, begging for protection from you. Scarlett was upset and worried about her sister, so she came to me. I don’t like it when Scarlett is upset.”

“Why’s that?” Rocco asked calmly.

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