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The Billionaires 39
I try to keep myself busy for the next couple of days. I know I have to start a new life for myself. I ignore all Nigel’s calls and eventually I put a block on his number. Rosa tells me I can stay with her until I find my own place and I quickly accept her offer. When she is in it is not so bad. She is funny and warm and I can push Nikolai to the back of my mind, but when she goes to work and I am left alone at the apartment, I find myself bursting into tears for no reason. I’d be peeling a pear and suddenly I’d start sobbing my heart out.I try to write but I find that I can’t concentrate like I used to be able to. Suddenly I would be thrown out of my story and my head would be filled with Nikolai. I miss him so much. At night if I have not had at least two glasses of wine I can’t sleep. Sometimes I think of Miss One Penny and Ray and Celine. I went to the shop and bought a big box of chocolates for Sophia, but then I didn’t know where to sen
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It’s cool in the car as Semyon drives us to Mayfair. I lean back against the leather and try to calm myself down. I have a plan. Well, it’s kind of a plan. Yana comes hurrying into the lofty entrance hallway as Semyon and I enter the house. “He’s in the study,” she says in a hushed voice.I thank her and walk to the study. I think I am even more nervous now than when I went to look for him in the club. Then I just assumed he would take me back. What I got was rejection and humiliation. I knock on the door and nearly die when I hear his voice say what I presume must be enter in Russian.I straighten my shoulders. I can do this. I push open the door. He is not at his desk. He is sitting on the sofa with his feet up on the low table. He turns his face towards me and freezes. The seconds tick away while we stare at each other.“What are you doing here?” His voice is strangely calm. There’s something different about him. He looks tired. Olde
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Nikolai Two Months Later That morning we wake up early. Autumn is in the air and it is still dark outside. Star stretches luxuriously. I pull back the sheets to look at her naked body. I’d punished myself for years but fate sent me Star. Made her so irresistible that it pulled me out ofmy self-imposed hell.In the gloom her pale skin glows. I reach out a hand and caress her smooth hip. She looks precious. Beyond anything I own or could want. I need her to know it. If I die tomorrow, I will only be at peace if she knows it.“I want to show you something,” I say. “What?”“Get dressed in your riding clothes. I want to show you my brother’s grave.”Her face changes. Fear flickers in her eyes. I kept her in a state of insecurity. That flash of fear. That is what I need to destroy.“Are you sure?” she whispers. I smile gently. “Yes. It’s time.”We go downstairs in the silence of the house. A
The Billionaires 42 - Billionaire Country Doctor
Prologue Randolph Brodie wandered around the people gathered at his brother’s wedding reception. Dirk and Chelsea had said their vows at the small church in Frontier City. Their reception at the ranch was a large barbecue. Children ran around playing while their parents and other guests enjoyed visiting.Dr. Neels strolled over to him. “Let me introduce you to some of the townspeople. If you’re really serious about joining me, then they’ll want to have a look at you.” He grinned. “We’ll start with the most difficult, Mrs. Lacey. She’s a determined, nosy old lady, but you’ll come to love her as I do.”Rand followed Dr. Neels, and he introduced Mrs. Lacey. She was sharp tongued, gave him a once-over, and told Dr. Neels he could do worse.“At least he’s easy on the eyes,” she said. They were both chuckling when they moved on.After meeting too many people to ever remember all their names, Dr. Neels took mercy on him. “I see a pret
The Billionaires 43
Four Months Later Marian Gaenor shut her office door. She was bone tired and wished she hadn’t promised Bob, the man she’d been dating casually these past three weeks, that she’d go out with him tonight. Maybe she’d call and cancel.She’d grab the subway home and curl up with a good book. But it was her thirty-first birthday. She should celebrate.All the way home she debated canceling or going. Her phone was ringing when she got to her door. Rushing inside, she picked up the receiver just in time.“Hi, girlfriend, have any pizza?”“Chelsea. It’s great to hear your voice. I have wine but no pizza. Wish you were here.”“I am. I’m at the airport. I’ll get the cabbie to stop for pizza and be there shortly. You don’t have other plans, do you? I should have checked, but I wanted to surprise you.”“No. Come on. I can’t wait to see you.” As soon as Marian hung up, she called and cancelled her date. Ah, that felt good
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Rand parked in front of a small cabin. Marian loved the setting. She couldn’t help but have a great vacation. It certainly started out right being met at the airport by Rand, and soon she and Chelsea would have a nice long chat.“This is where Chelsea said you’d be staying. You can see the big house from here. I’ll take your suitcases in, and then I have to go.”Marian jumped out of the truck. “Thanks for the ride.”He put the cases inside the door. “Sorry about the stop, but those types of situations happen when you’re the only doctor around.”“My grandmother used to talk about doctors who made house calls. It’s nice. You get to know the people you take care of in a different way.” She shrugged. “Not so impersonal, as most things are today.”“Exactly. I tried to explain that to my fiancée, but she doesn’t get it.” His expression changed as though he wished he hadn’t become personal. “See you.” He waved, got in his truck, and turned to get back on the road.Marian watched until he was
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“They look a lot alike.”Chelsea nodded as she started cutting the chicken. “They all resemble each other. The sister is dainty and a blonde, and the younger brother has light-brown hair, but you’d still know they were all from the same family. You’ll see tomorrow. And,” Chelsea added, “I’ve heard Anna is actually going to be there. I haven’t met her yet. I’m glad to see you and Rand are getting along great.”“Don’t start putting us together. Remember there’s a third, his fiancée.”“Not for long. See if I’m not right. Here, whip up the potatoes. I’ll put the chicken on the table.”Dinner was delicious, and Marian enjoyed watching the camaraderie between the three others at the table. When Rand excused himself to leave, Marian said she’d go, too. “It’s been a long day. I’ll see you tomorrow.”“Wait, I’ll get my flashlight and walk you to the cabin.” Dirk started out of the kitchen.“I’ll drive her,” Rand said.“Good idea.” Chelsea put her arm around Dirk, who’d come back to her side.R
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Marian got into the back of Dirk’s truck.“I don’t mind riding in the back,” Chelsea said. “You’re our guest. Dirk can point out places of interest.”“You said it wasn’t far. I’ll be fine. I’m not going to split up the lovebirds,” she teased.Chelsea got in the front, and Dirk went around to the driver’s seat. He glanced in the backseat at Marian.“You met most of my family at our wedding, but today you’ll have more time to get to know them all.”“I’m looking forward to it.” She sat back to enjoy the ride. Her throat tightened. She tried not to be envious of her best friend’s life. Chelsea was lucky. She had a hunky husband and was expecting their baby.Chelsea glanced around from the front to see Marian. “It’s quiet back there.” “I’m enjoying the view. I like this open country.”“Great. Maybe you’ll settle here.”“Remember, no matchmaking,” Marian reminded her.“That’s like asking my darling wife to sew her lips shut. She’ll never be able to keep that promise.” Chelsea laughed and sw
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