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Dominic groaned against her neck as he slowly slid the hem of her dress back in place and pulled up her bodice. “Not now,” he growled.
Mrs. Duhamel’s answered as if she hadn’t heard him. “If you two want lunch, we really have to get going. Abby has a couple of other dresses to try on. ”
Embarrassment flooded Abby’s face. “Oh, my god, she knows what we’re doing. ”
Dominic cupped her face in both of his hands and forced her to look up at him. “And has decided we need a chaperone. ” He kissed her deeply until she was quivering with need for him again. He ended the kiss with one last gentle brush of his lips across hers and rested his cheek against her curls, encircling her with a tenderness that belied the brevity of their acquaintance. For a moment, the only sound in the room was their mutual ragged breathing and his heart beating wildly beneath her ear. With one decisive indrawn breath, Dominic set Abby back a step and said, “Maybe she’s right. For now. ”
He moved to open the outer door for his assistant and gave her a sheepish smile, like that of a son caught in a guilty act. “All yours, Duhamel. You’re right. We have about ten minutes before we should go and she can’t wear that dress. ”
The older woman entered the room, discrete enough to pretend she hadn’t interrupted just in time. Before Dominic closed the outer door behind him, he said, “Just make sure it’s boxed and added to today’s purchases. ”
His wink was about the sexiest thing Abby had ever seen. She fell back against the mirrored wall.
As Marie approached with a few dresses slung over one of her arms Abby said, “We were just…I mean nothing…. ”
Marie waved her free hand and smiled. “You don’t have to explain anything to me, dear. ”
“I just don’t want you to think…. ”
“What I think, Abby, is that you’re going to be good for Dominic. ”
Abby didn’t think her face could get redder.
“I know. I know,” Marie quickly interjected. “I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s none of my business, but I like you. ” She held a dark blue, much more conservative dress up. “Now, go try this dress on before Dominic wears a hole in the carpet from pacing out there. ”
Abby wondered if Dominic had any idea how lucky he was to have Marie in his life. She reached over and gave Marie a spontaneous hug, before taking the blue dress from her. Marie adjusted her blouse and said, “Don’t go getting all emotional on me, now,” but her words didn’t negate the pleased expression on her face.
Chapter Seven
The playful mood of the morning was gone. Abby sat next to Dominic on a dark leather couch in the corner of an immense, book lined lawyer’s office. She wanted to reach over and take his hand, but instead folded both of hers in her lap. Abby didn’t know much about antiques, but the vase next to her was obviously quite old and probably worth a decade of her annual salary. She’d understood what Dominic had wanted at the boutique, but here, in his world, she wasn’t sure what her role was.
An older, mostly bald gentleman walked in. His casual gait halted just long enough for him to reveal and then quickly conceal his surprise that Dominic was not alone. With a nod that seemed meant for himself, the lawyer addressed them as he walked toward them.
Dominic stood, but did not extend a hand of welcome.
“Dominic,” the man said with no sign of having taken offense to Dominic’s cold greeting.
Dominic seemed to bristle at his familiarity. “Thomas. ”
“It’s been a long time,” the older man said and turned to collect a few papers from his desk before walking to a leather chair across from them.
“Not long enough. ”
“Still angry, I see. ” The observation held a hint of regret.
“I’m not here to rehash the past. Where is my sister?” Dominic paced before the couch, his tension filling the room.
“Her car just arrived downstairs. ” His regard moved from Dominic to Abby.
She stood and accepted the handshake he offered.
He said, “Thomas Brogos. Long time family attorney. ”
“Abby Dartley. ” Unsure how to label herself, she left it there.
He held onto her hand as if expecting more.
“Secretary?” he finally asked.
“Middle school teacher,” she answered, breaking their connection and looking at Dominic’s stiff profile. He was wound tight enough to pull a muscle. The lips that had gently caressed and teased her an hour before were compressed in anger.
“Interesting,” Thomas said, looking from Abby to Dominic and back. He seemed poised to ask another question, but Dominic stopped pacing and silenced the man with a simple raised eyebrow. Subtle body language for a man who looked like he wanted to hurt someone.
“Please sit,” Thomas instructed.
Dominic sat beside Abby and placed a hand on her knee, sending another message and successfully discouraging further questions.
The lawyer nodded, flipped open the folder and began to organize the papers to piles on a small table between them.
A tall, thin woman swept into the room in a huff. Both men stood immediately. Abby stood a second later, feeling unsure of her role in any of this.
The woman greeted the lawyer warmly, then sat stiffly in the one remaining chair and brought the temperature of the room down about ten degrees with the look she gave Dominic. The resemblance between the two was striking, leaving little doubt of their relationship. Dominic’s sister wore her black hair pulled harshly back from her face, accentuating their most striking shared asset, piercing gray eyes. She was dressed in a female version of his power suit with simple, albeit expensive, shoes and only the merest hint of makeup. She was a stunningly beautiful woman who wanted her ideas to make an impact rather than her looks.
“Nicole,” he said. Without taking his eyes off his sister, Dominic motioned for Abby to sit on the couch again. He sat beside her, but felt worlds away. Once again, Abby wondered how her presence could possibly help him. A man like him didn’t need reassurance. He didn’t look like he needed anyone or anything.
“Can we just get this over with?” the young woman spat and Abby felt Dominic stiffen beside her.
Thomas cleared his throat. He set two documents on the table before them. “Your father’s will might surprise the two of you. ”
Dominic made a sound of disbelief somewhere deep inside his chest. He sat back, crossing his ankles in front of him and folding his arms; a relaxed stance that did nothing to hide the tension pouring out of him. When that seemed to impress no one, he said harshly, “Just get to the point. ”
Nicole spun on him and snarled, “Yes, say it quickly so the great Dominic Corisi can get back to his own empire. You couldn’t make the wake or funeral; it’s amazing you were able to fit us into your busy schedule at all. ”
“I was out of the country,” Dominic answered, but looked distinctly less comfortable.
Thomas tapped the will with his pen. “If you two could stop snapping at each other long enough, I’d like to explain the will. ”
Dominic sat forward, muscles bunching at the older man’s tone, but said nothing. Nicole shifted in her seat like a child having been told to settle down, but also held her tongue. They each turned their attention toward him. Abby wondered at their relationship with Thomas since it was so obviously more than simply that of a family lawyer.
“Your father changed his will last year when he had his first heart attack,” Thomas stated blandly.
“First?” Dominic asked. “I had no idea his was ill. ”
“You wouldn’t,” Nicole hissed.
The lawyer continued, maintaining a professional calm, “He decided to leave what was left of his estate and his company, Corisi Ltd, net worth of about thirty million, entirely to Nicole. ”
“That news was hardly worth the trip,” Dominic mocked.
Thomas adjusted his tie nervously. “The addition to the
will was the stipulation that you take the role as CEO of the company for no less than a year, Dominic. Refuse, and your sister’s inheritance goes in a trust fund for various charities. ”
Nicole jumped to her feet. “You’ve got to be kidding! Papa and Dominic haven’t talked in over ten years. Why would he put him in charge of anything?”
The lawyer blanched painfully. “Corisi Ltd is poised on bankruptcy. Your father didn’t think you could turn it around, Nicole, since you’ve never been part of the business. ”
Looking like she was about to pass out, Nicole held onto the back of one of the tall chairs. She responded in almost a whisper. “Because he never let me. ” She wiped a defiant stray tear from her cheek. “How could he do this to me? He knew I got my MBA and worked in the same field so I would be ready when this day came. I know more about the competition than even he did. ”
Dominic stood. “Nicole-”
Nicole jabbed a finger into his chest. “Oh, you must love this. First you destroy it and now you get to play the hero? No way! I didn’t survive one dictator to put myself under the control of another. ”
To Thomas, Nicole said, “You’ll hear from my lawyers. ”
Abby stood when she saw the blood leave Dominic’s face. She took his hand in hers and the move seemed to enrage Nicole. She turned to Abby and said, “I don’t know who the hell you are, but for your sake, I pray my brother dumps you. Corisi men don’t love; they own. Get out while you still have your self-respect. Run before he crushes the life out of you. ”
Dominic tensed beside her, but Abby only clung to his hand tighter. She could see the years of hurt on both sides and was saddened that she didn’t know how to help either of them reach across it.
“I’ll have my lawyers look over the will, Nicole,” Dominic said tersely.
Shaking with anger, Nicole adjusted her purse on her shoulder and began to walk out of the room. “Too little, too late. You’re not the only one with powerful friends, Dominic. I’ll have my lawyers contact you tomorrow, Thomas. ” With that, she slammed the door behind her.
After she had gone, Dominic mocked, “Abby, this is my sister Nicole. Nicole, this is Abby. ”
Abby looked sadly up at Dominic and her heart swelled with sympathy for him. “You should go after her. ”
“It’s fifteen years too late for that,” he said almost to himself.
Thomas said, “She won’t find a loophole, Dominic. You should help her stabilize your father’s company, especially since you’re the one who brought it to the point of bankruptcy. You owe her that much. ”
“You heard her; she doesn’t want my help. ” His grip tightened on Abby’s hand, but she didn’t protest. This was also why she’d come.
“You’d let her lose everything?” Thomas asked in a tone that implied that only the lowliest of creatures would.
“I am not going to help save my father’s company. If there is no way to break the will, I’ll just give Nicole some money. My father is not going to win just because…”