to hurt him, as she had been hurt by his abrupt disappearance from her life. Days when she could barely function. Nights where sleep eluded her until the early dawn hours.
Weeks, dammit, spent examining every possible reason he could have left without a word.
An inexplicable action which compounded when she woke one morning feeling queasy and had to make a mad dash into the en suite bathroom. Something she ate became less likely when a second early morning bathroom dash occurred the following day, and the next. A positive pregnancy test had tipped her into a state of shock...they’d always used protection, so how?...until she recalled a night when need had obliterated common sense.
A rapid calculation of pertinent dates had merely confirmed a distinct possibility, followed by a host of scattered emotions that briefly pitched her between delight and despair, and the inevitable...this can’t be happening. Except a further three pregnancy tests over several days had eliminated any vestige of doubt.
Vivid images swirled unbidden through her mind of times shared, long nights together, the joy of love and quietly spoken plans for their future...then nothing, no word as to why Alexei had seemed to disappear like smoke in the wind.
The energy she expended attempting to track him down without success. Details of staff employed by Montgomery Electronics revealed Alexei’s file had been deleted—but she had no idea who by or why.
It appeared he’d intentionally slipped off the radar...but for what possible reason?
She’d lain awake for nights searching for an answer...any answer. Only to come up with a few scenarios, none of which seemed to fit the man she thought she’d known so well.
Was she that desperate to locate the father of her unborn child, when he’d presumably taken steps to disappear? And what if she did manage to make contact? Would he be someone with whom she’d want to do battle over shared custody?
Seeking medical confirmation was a given, providing the reality of early pregnancy, closely followed by her determination to carry the child to full term. The only person in whom she’d confide was her mother...except she needed the right words, the chosen moment.
Only to have the decision taken out of her hands when she’d suffered a miscarriage just six weeks into the pregnancy.
A tiny foetus not meant to develop and take life’s first breath.
There was little solace in medical opinion a second pregnancy would need to be carefully monitored with ongoing blood tests during the initial three months of pregnancy. Facts which didn’t begin to equate with Natalya’s emotional distress, until Ivana took action by booking flights and accommodation for a ten-day vacation on Queensland’s Hamilton Island.
On reflection, they’d shared a lovely apartment with views over tropical waters, restaurants, time to relax and enjoy what the resort had to offer, indulging in facials, body massage, treatments at the Island’s Resort Spa.
Sunshine, soft warm breezes, an idyllic beach. A healing period which strengthened their mother-daughter bond.
‘Love you, darling,’ Ivana had offered quietly as they exchanged hugs while the cab driver transferred Natalya’s travel bag from the vehicle’s boot. ‘Are you sure you don’t want me to come in with you?’
‘I’m fine. Really,’ Natalya assured her, aware once she settled into her apartment and resumed work as her father’s PA life would assume its normal pattern...or as close to a facsimile of it.
And it had, over time.
All of which now flashed painfully through Natalya’s mind, and served to heighten her anger as she rose to her feet, choosing to icily indicate the destroyed paperwork lying on the carpeted floor of Alexei’s office.
‘Not even a million-dollar salary would convince me to work for you.’
There was nothing she could gain from his expression, or his demeanour, then one eyebrow lifted to form a slight arch as he queried silkily,
‘Are you done?’
Courage...she owned it in spades, Alexei acknowledged. Together with a flash of temper, which showed for a brief instant before she visibly gathered it in.
‘Yes.’ Succinct, and final.
Natalya turned to leave, and he waited until she reached the door before relaying with drawled intent, ‘I strongly suggest you change your mind.’
He watched her shoulders stiffen, their slight lift as she took a calming breath before she swung back to face him.
With determined effort she took in his sculptured facial features accented by scrupulously groomed designer stubble...impossibly sexy, highlighting a raw edgy quality she found disturbing.
Dark eyes...not warm as she remembered, but cool, analytical. The faint groove bracketing each cheek seemed a little deeper, and the mouth which had caressed her own, devoured and taken, was now set in firm lines.
His shoulders...had they been so broad? His hair, so silky she’d exulted in ruffling it into disorder. Matching the dark promise in his eyes, a soft throaty chuckle an instant before he claimed her mouth, her heart...her soul.
Then.
Not now...and it rankled more than she would ever admit to how much the admission had the power to hurt.
She was over him. Way over.
Alexei Delandros belonged in a previous chapter of her life. One she had absolutely no intention of revisiting. Only a degree of stubborn pride ensured she remained facing him...when every cell in her body urged she should simply turn and leave. So why didn’t she?
Because it was the easy way out. And she didn’t do easy.
Like she’d even consider working for the man who had ruthlessly set out to destroy her father’s business empire?
Natalya lifted her chin and threw him a fulminating glare. ‘As far as I’m concerned, you can take your employment contract and shove it.’
She was either a very good actress, Alexei conceded, or she genuinely had no inkling of the verbal bombshell he was about to deliver.
‘You might consider leaving your options open.’
Her eyes never left his own. Dignity and sarcasm didn’t mesh, but she really didn’t care. ‘Please don’t hesitate to enlighten me as to why?’
Family values had been her strong point. One he’d admired...until he’d dug deep into her father’s business and private affairs and uncovered a number of discrepancies revealing the antithesis of the man Roman Montgomery managed to portray.
Had Natalya been aware of her father’s transgressions? Possibly not, given Roman’s penchant for subterfuge.
There was no point in sugar-coating the facts, nor did he feel inclined to soften his words.
‘My accounting team have uncovered an elaborate scheme involving several bogus offshore accounts created by your father for the illegal transfer of Montgomery company funds.’
Alexei watched her eyes sharpen with disbelief. ‘There’s no way my father would commit fraud.’
It was a gut reaction and, on the surface, genuine, he perceived. Although she’d managed to fool him in the past.
‘You’re so sure of that?’
‘I’d stake my life on it,’ Natalya voiced emphatically, ignoring the folder Alexei extended towards her.
‘I suggest you examine the paperwork.’
‘And if I choose not to?’
He studied her features as she ran a pale lacquered nail over the folder’s seam, noted the soft pink colouring of her cheeks, the defensive spark in the depths of her eyes, and for a brief moment he almost felt sorry for her.
Almost.
‘The