Seducing a Good Girl (Book 3 of the Billionaire Bad Boys)

16

New York two weeks later…

Dominic stared at his blank canvass. He’s been staring at it for days feeling rather uninspired. He had been having trouble focusing on his work. It had been two weeks since he’d seen Nicki and she hadn’t tried to contact him. He thought for sure by now she would have text him or e-mailed him asking him to come get her and bring her home but she hadn’t, and he was starting to feel like he might have made a horrible mistake leaving her in Devon.

He’d gone about his life, as usual, attending his social events alone. Now that the world knew he was married everyone kept asking where his new bride was and how come no one had seen her in weeks. He kept telling people she was ill and at home in bed but he could only keep the lie going for so long. Eventually, the press was going to realize Nicki had left him.

The phone rang, and Dominic quickly answered the phone next to the door. The front desk told him he had a visitor and she was on her way up. Dominic hung up the phone and opened his door just in time to see his mother step off the elevator. It wasn’t the woman he had been hoping to see. Though he knew the likelihood of Nicki finding her way back alone was almost non-existent, he had for a split second allowed himself to hope.

He wasn’t happy to see his mother he hadn’t spoken to her since the day he introduced her to Nicki six weeks ago. He didn’t honestly know why she was here. Eve smiled at her son as she reached the door. “I would have called, but you don’t answer my calls.”

“That’s because I’m not talking to you.”

“I figured as much.” They stood watching one another for a moment. “Well, aren’t you going to invite me in?”

He supposed since she was their manners dictated he had to be a good host. Dominic invited his mother in and went to the kitchenette. “Would you like some coffee?” He offered.

“That would be lovely.” She said looking around the apartment. “I can’t help noticing you are alone? Where is Nicki?” She asked taking a seat at the island while Dominic made some coffee.

“Why? Did you come here to insult her further?” He asked while the coffee percolated.

“No, I came to apologize. Your father would have come with me, but he had to work. We haven’t seen or heard from our son in over a month. This girl means a lot to you. We didn’t mean to alginate you when we met Nicki, your father and I were just concerned. But we have decided our relationship means more to us than being right.”

It killed him to admit his parents had indeed been right about his hasty marriage. They had rushed into their relationship, and it had not worked out. “She’s not here.”

“I can see that. Where is she?”

Dominic took the cup of coffee and added cream and sugar then handed it to his mother. “She’s in Montana.”

“What is she doing there?”

“We fought.” He admitted.

“About what?”

“Her father found out through the press that we had eloped, so we went to Montana to deal with him. I don’t get along with the man, and he started a fight between Nicki and I. So, I left her in Montana.”

“You left her?” His mother asked with surprise. “Why?”

“I was mad. I wanted to be right.” He then lowered his gaze feeling like a fool. “I thought she’d call me and beg me to come to get her, but she hasn’t. I haven’t heard from her since I walked away.”

“I’m sorry it didn’t work out, but it’s better to know now then later. She is not worth it if a little disagreement can cause Nicki to leave you.”

Dominic glared at his mother. “Don’t tell me she’s not worth it. I love her; she means everything to me. She’s my best friend.”

“Oh really?” Eve replied in disbelief. “If she means so much to you then why are you here when she’s across the country doing god knows what with god knows who?” He didn’t know what to do or what to say. He missed Nicki, but his pride prevented him from picking up the phone. He wouldn’t even know what to say to her if he did. “What did you fight over?”

“She wants to live in Montana, and I want to stay here in New York.”

“Why can’t you do both? Your father wanted to live in Malibu, and I wanted to live in New York. Do you remember what we did?” He did they wintered in Malibu and summered in New York all his life. They had spent six months on each coast, and it had worked well for them. “Why can’t you spend some of your time in New York and some of your time in Montana? Then you both get what you want.”

Was she trying to help him resolve a disagreement that very well could end his brief ill thought out marriage? “What do you care? You and Dad don’t even like Nicki. You wanted us to split up.”

“It’s not that we don’t like Nicki, we don’t know her. You didn’t let us get to know her before you jumped into a lifetime commitment with her. We want you to be happy, and I can tell by looking at you right now that you’re not happy.” She took a sip of her coffee and returned it to the island countertop. “Do you love this girl?”

“With all my heart.”

“Then you need to make it right. You need to apologize.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong.” He said.

“You abandoned her in another state the first-time things got tough.” She pointed out. “Why don’t you want to live in Montana?”

“Her father hates me.” He said.

“I don’t think we made Nicki’s New York experience here any better. To make a relationship work both parties have to give and take.”

“Are you encouraging me to stay with Nicki?” He was seriously surprised.

“Marriage is forever Dom. It should not be entered into lightly. I think you weren’t using your head when you married this girl. I think you were infatuated and caught up in a whirlwind romance, but it doesn’t change the fact that you are married and marriage isn’t easy. You chose to get married so now you have to make it work.”

Dominic sighed. “What if she won’t talk to me?”

“You have to try.” He was unsure. Eve’s back straightened, and she held her chin a little higher. “You’re a Sanchez, act like one.”

Dominic squared his shoulders and held his head high. She was right, he was a Sanchez, and a Sanchez did not fail, and he wasn’t going to fail at this marriage. So how did he get her to talk to him after the way he abandoned her? Dominic had an idea. He had to make a few calls.

***

Devon, one week later,

It had been three weeks, and Nicki had not left her room. She’d been unable to pull herself out of the depressive funk she’d been in since Dominic left her. She just lay in bed with her laptop googling Dominic and reading all she could about the man and his family. It was staggering how much was out there and how little she knew about them. How could she love a man she knew so little about?

There were hundreds of articles about Dominic spanning over his lifetime. His personal life was so very public, and many of them didn’t sound like the man she knew at all. She found pictures of Dominic on the red carpet with his brothers and with various women all bombshells. This was the kind of woman he was used to, so what did he see in her?

Nicki was amazed to find pictures of herself online some on the red carpet in Florida and many more she couldn’t remember posing for. They looked like they had been taken from across the street or from the bushes. She felt violated. How could Dominic grow up like this? There were even YouTube videos of her fight with Evette in the art gallery. It made her look like a complete lunatic.

After reading the conflicting articles and watching the videos which were completely out of context, Nicki decided this was no way to get to know about someone. She wasn’t what the press made her out to be, and the Dominic she had gotten to know wasn’t the playboy trust fund jerk the tabloids portrayed him to be. The only thing that was certain was that Nicki missed him terribly.

Would living in New York be so bad? She’d be far from home, but she’d have Dominic.

Nicki periodically came out of her room to eat but not often and after the second week of moping Lacy came into her room and forced Nicki to get up and do something. She dragged her sister from her room and insisted Nicki go with her to get the groceries.

They were in line to pay when the clerk asked Nicki to sign the cover of a US Magazine which was featuring her surprise marriage. Nicki shook her head no she didn’t want to be treated like a celebrity just because she slept with one. They took the bags out to the truck, and Lacy suggested a drink in the bar next door.

They went inside and took a seat at the bar ordering two whiskies. Nicki knew her sister was trying to make her feel better, but it wasn’t working. “Well now look who it is?” A voice drew their attention. Nicki turned around on the barstool to see Mark Harris and his lackeys circle them. “It’s our resident celebrity. Welcome back. Where’s the hubby?” He asked looking around.

“I don’t think he’s around anymore.” John Yankee said with a grin. “I think maybe the playboy left you for some bunny that can shake that ass.” He said pretending to work like the women on MTV.

“Awe, did you two break up?” Mark asked with mock sympathy. “Well don’t worry there are lots of rich players out there looking for a girl with your abilities.” He said making a crude gesture that implied she could give blow jobs for money. “Hell, I’ll give you five bucks for one right now. I’ll make it twenty if you do us all.”

“Screw you, Mark.” Lacy snapped. “Leave her alone. Can’t you see she’s depressed?”

“I wasn’t talking to you,” Mark said pushing Lacy off her stool and taking a seat. “In all seriousness Nicki, I’ve never realized how pretty you are. Money looks good on you.” He said pushing her dark hair over her shoulder and caressing her cheek with a perverted smile. “I can think of something else that would look good on you.”

“Yeah, a pearl necklace.” Rick Forbs grinned and he and Jeff Wilson high fived each other while the rest of them laughed.

“Come on you guys leave the girl alone.” The old bar owner said coming to Nicki’s rescue.

“Shut up old man this doesn’t concern you,” Mark said placing his hand over the bar owner’s face and shoving him backwards.

Nicki offered the men an annoyed look. “Are you jackasses done?” She asked.

“Oh, did you hear what she called us?” Jeff asked.

“That’s not friendly,” Rick said.

“You’re not pretty enough to get away with being a b***h,” Mark informed her. “With that attitude, you better be a good lay.”

“That’s probably why the hubby ditched her,” John suggested. “Can’t blame him b***h can’t move right with that leg.”

“Is that the problem?” Mark asked her. “Were you not cutting it? I suppose the novelty of f*****g a cripple wears off quickly.”

Nicki looked Mark in the eyes. “You’re an asshole.” She whispered trying to hide the pain inflicted by that comment.

“Maybe but you are nobody. Nobody wants you. Face it; you’re just another girl in the middle of butt f**k nowhere. You don’t matter to anyone. Your father didn’t even call the cops when you got beaten up, because he knew it would just be a waste of police time, because no one cares. The only value you have is when you are on your knees.”

Nicki felt the sting of his words. She wished she could say it wasn’t true but she couldn’t. Her father hadn’t called the cops when she was injured. Not because he thought she wasn’t worth it but because he knew the police in this town wouldn’t do anything about it.

“Though I suppose once you are on your knees you can’t get back up.” He mocked her disability. “But then again maybe that’s where you belong.” Nicki wasn’t taking this abuse anymore. She slid off her bar stool and made to leave. John extended his foot and tripped her. Nicki fell forward banging her injured knee on the floor and barely catching herself before her face hit the bar at the bottom of the stool next to her. She was on her hands and knees in a great deal of pain and embarrassment. The men were laughing. “Oh, that looked like it hurt. Maybe you gave up your cane a little too soon.”

“You’re an ass,” Lacy said taking Nicki by the arm and helped her sister to her feet.

Mark just shrugged his shoulders. “Accidents happen.”

Nicki couldn’t take it anymore. She turned around and glared at Mark with hate. “I know what you did.” She snarled.

“What did I do?” He asked knowingly.

“You did this to me.” She accused. “I know you did.”

Mark leaned in really close and whispered in her ear. “You can’t prove shit.”

She knew he was right she would never have justice so she’d take it. Nicki grabbed the closest beer bottle and smashed it on the bar; then she drove the broke shard in her hand into his chest. Mark cried out in pain and Lacy pulled Nicki away and out of Mark’s immediate reach. “Nicki what are you doing?”

“Accidents happen.” Nicki snarled at Mark.

Mark wrapped his hand around the neck of the broken bottle and pulled it out of his chest. He grunted with pain and dropped the bloody shard on the bar top. “You crazy bitch.” He growled and grabbed Nicki by the roots of her hair. “I don’t need the cops to deal with you.” He hissed and then slammed her head on the bar. Pain ripped through Nicki’s head, and she fell back into Lacy.

Lacy gasped, and she got between Mark and Nicki. “You touch my sister again, and you won’t have to worry about the police, my husband will come for you, and he will put you in the hospital.”

It was a good threat that caused Mark to back away his hand over the bloody open wound in his chest. Mark and Bryce had tangled in the past, and every time they had Mark received a beat down that often resulted in broken bones and humiliation. Mark glared at Nicki. “This isn’t over, not by a long shot.”

“Don’t make threats.” Lacy snapped taking Nicki by the arm and leading her out of the bar. “Let’s get you home. Oh, gee look at that bruise starting to form. Let’s get you some Tylenol for that.”

They went home, and as they came through the door, Mitchel and Bryce both jumped to their feet. “Dear lord Nicki!” Their father gasped coming to her side and ushering her to the couch where she could sit down. “What happened?”

“It’s Mark and his friends,” Lacy said. “They were making fun of Nicki, and then John tripped her. She lost her temper and attacked Mark, and he slammed her head into the bar.” Lacy explained.

“That’s unacceptable,” Bryce said heading for the door and grabbing his coat.

“Bryce no,” Nicki called to him stopping him before he walked out the door. “I don’t want you getting into trouble because of me. Besides he’s probably already on his way to the hospital.”

“Why?” Bryce asked.

“He’ll need stitches.” Lacy chuckled. “Nicki drove a broken bottle into his chest.”

“Nicki.” Their father scolded her. “That was hardly acceptable.”

Bryce grinned. “Oh, please he deserved it, he deserves worse. Come on Nicki let me break his legs. Let him see what it’s like to walk with a cane.”

“No please Bryce just forget it.” She insisted. “I just want to go to my room and rest.” She said heading for the stairs. Suddenly Bryce perked up like a dog when they heard something their human masters couldn’t. He then walked over to the door and looked outside. It was odd, and it caught Nicki’s attention. “What?”

“That’s an expensive car.” Lacy went to her husband’s side and whistled.

Nicki came down off the stairs and followed her family out onto the porch as a midnight black BMW pulled up to the house. Nicki was at a loss, who could that be? She didn’t have to wonder long as the driver stepped out of the car. Nicki couldn’t believe her eyes. “Holly hell.” Mitchell gasped his jaw agape as his eyes rolled from the stiletto heels up that slender body and to the pretty face of the sophisticated woman coming around the front of the car. Even Bryce was staring even though the woman was old enough to be his mother. Lacy noticed the expression on Bryce’s face, and she slapped him.

Nicki couldn’t believe Eve Sanchez was standing in front of them. Eve removed her designer sunglasses and then she smiled at Nicki. “Hello, Nicki.”

“Mrs. Sanchez,” Nicki said as polite as she could.

“You know this woman?” Her father asked.

Nicki supposed the polite thing to do was introduce them all. “Father this is Eve Sanchez, Dominic’s mother. Mrs. Sanchez, this is my father, Mitchell Taylor.” She then pointed to Lacy and Bryce. “This is my sister Lacy and her husband, Bryce.”

“It is such a pleasure to meet all of you,” Eve said, with a dazzling smile that Nicki had seen a hundred times on the face of her son.

Mitchell hurried his way down the porch steps to shake her hand. “The pleasure is all mine I assure you, Mrs. Sanchez. Welcome to our humble home please do come in. Can I get you something to drink? Maybe some sweet tea?”

“Oh, that would be lovely.” Nicki was disgusted by her father’s behaviour. He was falling all over a married woman. Mitchell led Eve into the house, and she looked around the ratty old living room with that phoney smile and then took a seat on the couch and crossed one leg over the other and fixed her skirt. “What a quaint home you have.” She said politely.

“Thank you.” Mitchell then looked at Lacy. “Lacy tea.” Lacy rolled her eyes and was about to leave the room when she grabbed Bryce by the hand and dragged him from the room with her. “So, you are Dominic’s mother?” She nodded. “Lovely boy.”

“Oh, he gave me the impression you two didn’t get along.” She called him out.

“Well yes and no. I like the boy, just not his interest in my daughter. You know they eloped.” He said with disapproval.

“Yes, I do,” Eve said with equal dismay. “I must admit I didn’t take it well.”

“Nor did I.”

“It was a bit of a shock, but at least you’d met Dominic; I had yet to know he had any interest in anyone when he told me he’d run off and married someone.”

“I can see how that would be alarming.” He agreed. “But if he had any respect at all for me he would have asked my blessings before they got hitched.”

“Yes, sometimes the boy doesn’t think before he acts, that’s always been a trait that annoyed me. I did my best to raise him right, but as a parent, you can only do so much and then you have to step back and hope they will do the right thing.”

“Besides that, lack of judgment, I rather liked the boy. He’s very polite; he treated my daughter very well.”

“Well then what did you disapprove of?” Eve asked.

“His age.” He said honestly. “He’s far older than Nicki.”

Eve made a thoughtful understanding sound. “I can see how that would be distressful, but age is just a number. What should matter is how he treats her. She could either be with an older man that treats her like a queen or a man her age that beats her up and cheats on her. Their actions and not their age should be what a man is judged by.” Her observation made Mitchell think.

“Well, Nicki says you didn’t approve of her. What was your objection to their relationship if not age?” Her father asked.

“Yes, I did behave badly the day we met, but I was protecting my son. It wasn’t Nicki I objected to but rather the timing of their hasty wedding. You see my son is very wealthy and gold diggers often target wealthy men, and frankly I didn’t know Nicki or anything about her other than the fact that she’d met and married my son in six weeks. I was afraid she was using him. Regretfully, I was very nasty when I met Nicki.” Eve then looked at Nicki directly. “Which I am greatly apologetic.”

“I can see how their eloping could concern you, but I promise you my daughter is not a gold digger.”

“Yes, I can see that now. And you must understand there is nothing unsavoury about my son’s interest in your daughter. He’s a good boy who wants to give her the best life possible. They are in love, and that’s all that should matter. Don’t you want her to be happy?”

“I do.”

“Then don’t you think maybe we should get out of their way?”

Nicki was confused about why this woman was championing their relationship? Nicki couldn’t stay out of it anymore. “I’m confused. Last time I saw you, you wanted me gone.”

“I apologize for my behaviour, and I hope we can put that unpleasantness behind us and move on. After all, we are family now.”

Nicki shook her head. “No, we’re not. Dominic abandoned me at the first sign of trouble. He doesn’t love me.”

“You couldn’t be more wrong. Dominic is miserable without you. He’s just stubborn, he wants you back, but his pride is getting in the way. You have to understand; Sanchez men are very prideful; admitting they were wrong is very hard for them to do.” Eve said. “He wants you back so why don’t you come back to New York with me and put this little fight behind you.”

Nicki had pride too. “He abandoned me. If he wants me back, he can come here and tell me so himself.”

“Well I’m sorry you came all the way out here for nothing Mrs. Sanchez, but my daughter had pride too. Your son did wrong, and only he can make it right.” Mitchell said supporting Nicki’s position.

“Well, I am sorry you feel that way,” Eve said and then she took a closer look at Nicki. “Is that a bruise?” She asked coming to her feet. Eve came around the coffee table and over to Nicki. She brushed Nicki’s dark hair out of her face. “Did someone strike you?”

“No, it’s nothing,” Nicki said backing away.

“She was attacked in town by a local thug.” Her father told Eve.

“Did you go to the police?”

“The police here are useless,” Nicki said with anger. “It’s nothing.”

“You can’t let men like that run over you. Stand up for yourself.”

“Standing up for myself is what got me hit in the first place,” Nicki said feeling ashamed and embarrassed. “Excuse me.” She said and went upstairs.