The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress

Grayson POV

Today's the day of the engagement party. Flair's been tense today, not her usual self and I can't help but wonder if perhaps she's nervous about tonight. It can't be easy for her, having to congratulate her bastard ex-husband on getting engaged to Charlotte Deluca, who he'd been sleeping with while married to her. I'm willing to bet it's brought up a lot of painful memories for her and while I'm doing my best to distract her, part of me feels as though I'm failing abysmally. "Are you prepared for tonight and the fallout?" my grandfather's voice comes from the opposite end of the phone as I frown down at it.

"You knew what you were doing when you gave us that ring old man. If there is a scene tonight, it will be your doing" I told him bluntly.

The sound of laughter filled the line. "As if I would let Charlotte get her greedy hands on a family heirloom that she's more likely to sell than wear. I have background information on your delightful wife by the way and I must say" the old man paused as I scowled "that I'm quite intrigued and looking forward to meeting her. Although there is a lot of information that the investigator I hired was not able to find, which is fascinating, don't you think?" he added cheerfully.

In other words, the old bastard knew there was more to Flair than meets the eye and was digging for information on her. I was not about to divulge that she was a Grant, not yet. I chuckled "Perhaps that's part of her allure Grandfather. I must say that I'm surprised you didn't just ask Johnathon for information on her" I told him with amusement.

He scoffed "That bastard. I'm amazed he's made it so far as a lawyer. Doesn't appear to have much in the way of brains, that one. Don't know how he's managed to put up with Charlotte's behavior for so long" he added lowly "it's blatantly obvious that he wants her money and connections."

"Charlotte's a big girl. She'll either figure that out for herself or..."

"She'll marry the i***t anyway. Don't think I don't know that you and her want the company. She's no prize either, I'm not blind" the old man said grimly "but I expect you to at least try to be on your best behavior, for as long as that can possibly last tonight." I raised a brow "Does that also go for you Grandfather?" I enquired smoothly.

"Of course. Do you think I wish to see the Deluca name go up in smoke?" he said tersely "There are limits to what I do. I might not have agreed with what my son did but I have always been proud to carry the Deluca name, unlike some" he muttered as I pretended I didn't hear him.

"Be prepared to put on a happy front for your sister's sake" my grandfather said heavily "and your stepmother or whatever you want to call her."

"Karen," I said tightly "I just call her Karen."

"Fine, Karen, then," he snapped, "the press will be trying to take photographs, and no doubt they will want one of the happy family."

"You ask too much," my voice was low and filled with warning. "There is a reason I don't go by the Deluca name."

"I'm aware of the hatred you have towards Karen and Charlotte, but Grayson, you're playing by my rules tonight. Especially if you want that company. I have the right to determine who gets their hands on it." "You put specific conditions down, and I guarantee I'm working on meeting them," I snarled, pissed off.

"Doesn't mean I can't make other requests" my grandfather countered "so consider that when you arrive tonight. You'll be stepping foot back in the family home for what feels like years, so I want a smile on your face and nostalgia on your face. I don't want you spouting hatred to the press" he said firmly.

Bastard. I clutched the phone tightly in my grasp, feeling an overwhelming desire to throw it at the nearest wall. My breathing became more shallow.novelbin

"I am going by the assumption that you've spoken to Charlotte and Johnathon in regard to this as well" I bit out.

"Naturally," my grandfather said calmly, "there are going to be important business partners and investors at the party. Not to mention wealthy families and friends. I won't be embarrassed tonight, not by anyone."

I wanted to laugh at his audacity. The bastard had set up what was no doubt going to cause a scene, the very second Charlotte spotted the ring on Flair's finger and then had the nerve to inform us that he wanted no arguments or scenes. Was he insane? Charlotte was going to be furious. It seems that some sentences in this chapter require you to read the complete chapters on Jo (b) n i b.com in order to avoid an incomplete reading experience. My grandfather chuckled "I know exactly what you're thinking, but if Charlotte wants that company, she's going to have to keep her mouth shut and her thoughts to herself. She can lose her temper all she likes after the party" he added wickedly "it will be a good lesson in self-control and self-restraint for her to keep silent at the party itself." "You're twisted," I told him, "and sick."

"Perhaps" he chuckled "I expect you to arrive promptly. No late arrivals for the Deluca's."

"I'm an Oakes, not a Deluca" I snapped but I was talking to a beeping ringtone.

The old man had hung up on me. I seethed and put the cell phone back in my pocket.

The old coot. I sighed. Just like him to play these mindless games. I shook my head and then glanced towards the stairs. Flair would have started to get ready by now. The party was hours away, but women had all sorts of things they liked to do to get prepared. I on the other hand only had to shower and throw a suit on. It seemed unfair now that I had to think about it.

I started back up the stairs and then knocked on the bedroom door, not wanting to disturb Flair if she was in the midst of doing something important.

"Come in" she called out and I entered, watching her clad in a robe, her hair up in curlers as she applied makeup at the dressing table.

"Do you need anything? Um, I can't help with that" I teased her, gesturing at the makeup and curlers "but I can bring food up for you to eat" I offered.

She shook her head "I won't be able to eat without ruining the makeup" she said with a giggle "who was on the phone? I heard you talking to someone?"

I sat on the bed, watching as she continued to dab at her face, feeling relaxed and more at ease just being in her presence.

"The old man," I said with a shrug "warning us to be on our best behavior."

Flair frowned at me in the mirror "are you a child that needs to be told they'll be spanked if you misbehave" she said with a giggle.

I chuckled "Sometimes it feels like it, doesn't it" I murmured.

Suddenly Flair put down the makeup tools and glanced down at her hands. "Grayson" she murmured as I came up behind her and put my hands on both her shoulders.

"What's wrong gorgeous?" I asked her quietly.

She looked a little anxious, biting her lip, her eyes turning suspiciously shiny.

"I don't know if I'm strong enough to do this. I don't know if I'm able to congratulate that bastard after everything he's done. Part of me doesn't want to be the bigger person and I'm worried I'm going to say or do something that I'll regret."

I rubbed her shoulders. "Honey, the fact you're willing to go to this party speaks volumes. You're braver than you think.

You're a Grant" I reminded her, as she looked over her shoulder at me "and while you may not want that revealed tonight, you can remind yourself of that. Johnathon is nothing in comparison to you. Nothing. Besides, he cheated on you, so why don't you think of it as Johnathon and Charlotte truly deserve each other? I guarantee if he's cheated once, he'll do it again" I told her sincerely.

Her eyes shone "I never thought of it that way or even that he might do the same to her. But I also have something else that neither of them do" she added, glancing at me meaningfully.

"Oh," I said, staring down at her beautiful face and fighting the urge to kiss it "What's that?"

She gave me a brilliant smile that almost had me swooning, it was so bright it lit the whole room up "I have you. A husband who has shown me exactly how it feels to be treated like a wife should be. Thank you, Grayson, for everything that you have done for me." I felt like I'd been praised for something I didn't deserve. I couldn't resist anymore and I leaned down, pressing my lips gently to hers, tasting the sweetness of her lips as she closed her eyes and gave in to me. I didn't care if I ruined her makeup. I doubted she cared either. Not right then. I had never been more grateful to have her or to have her express such strong feelings towards me.

Who was I kidding? This was supposed to be a contract marriage but already it had unravelled and become something more. Neither of us was willing to speak the words out loud, but both of us knew that in our hearts. I pulled back and smiled down at Flair, whose eyes fluttered back open. "It's I who should be thanking you," I said gently "because you've shown me what it's like to have somebody in my life, who only wants me and not what I can give them in the way of money or materialistic things. You are a precious jewel Flair Oakes and one I don't intend to let go of anytime soon."

I turned and walked deliberately towards the bathroom. I could have sworn as I entered that I heard a small sob behind me, and as I glanced over my shoulder, my wife's eyes were suspiciously wet as she turned back towards the dressing table. My wife would be introduced to everybody tonight and I had no intentions of leaving her side, but it wasn't just because I felt obligated to, but because I wanted to.