The Billionaire's Salvation

MOVING IN WITH MY RAPIST'S SON

Fifteen minutes later, Vanessa's doorbell sounded. She sighed, knowing it was Nicklaus. The doorbell rang again before she could reach it. She looked through the peephole and confirmed it was him before opening the door.

Nicklaus walked past her. He was dressed in a black suit that probably cost more than her apartment rent. Meeting him again, she could see why people deferred to him. Nicklaus was tall, his shoulders were broad, and he oozed enough confidence for a dozen men. Vanessa suspected he was the type who would take charge regardless of the situation. Despite the hard edges of his face, there was something sensual about the shape of his mouth. His thick black eyelashes gave his grey eyes a s****l cast.

And there she went again, drooling over his appearance.

UGHH!

Something was definitely wrong with her and she chose to believe it was the pregnancy hormones wreaking havoc on her senses. With that settled, she went back to scrutinizing his person.

If he were inclined, she would bet he could reduce a woman to melted butter with just a look. There was nothing boyish about him. He was all man and he would want a woman as tough and confident as he, a raving beauty. Vanessa knew she would never make the cut. Why she was even thinking about it was beyond her.

Nicklaus stared at her, his eyes searching her face. “Are you alright?”

She met his inquiring gaze. “No, I am not alright. Since being acquainted with the Ramirez family, my nice quiet life has been turned upside down. I hate it. I want my life back.”

He frowned. “I get that you’re upset and rightly so. But…you can’t equate meeting my father with meeting me.”

“Of course I can. It seems as if you meet one Ramirez, you meet all. All your family does is take what you want regardless of how others are affected. Can you look me in the eyes and tell me you are not responsible for the flock of reporters outside my apartment building?”

“Vanessa, allow me to explain –”

“No. It’s a simple yes or no question.”

“It’s not that easy – “

“Not easy? Let me tell you what’s not easy – “

“Vanessa – “

“No! I didn’t ask you to show up at my home, insult me, offer me a big check and threaten to take my baby away so you could raise him as your heir. I don’t know which is worse: your father raping me or you trying to take my child away from me. Now I have to put up with the media hounding me.”

“Vanessa,” he said. “I am not taking your child away.”

It took her a few seconds for his words to sink in.

“You are not?” she questioned and placed her hands on the slight baby bump that was not easily recognizable. Rubbing her belly in an attempt to calm her nerves, she watched as Nicklaus’s gaze raked over her from head to toe. After lingering on her breasts and legs, his eyes moved back up to her mouth. The intensity in his eyes made her feel as if she was naked rather than being fully clothed.

He finally lifted his gaze to hers. “I have a solution to our problem. I would like you to hear me out with an open mind before you make a decision. Promise me you’ll listen to everything I have to say first before making a decision,” he insisted.

“Okay,” she said gesturing to the sofa. She felt completely drained. “Let’s sit down.”

“So I want to say first off, I believe you when you said my father attacked and raped you. I am sorry it happened and I know nothing I say can make it up to you.”

She bit her lip. “Thank you for believing me. I know it must not be easy to have to believe that about your father,” she admitted. “And I appreciate your apology, although you have nothing to apologize for. You were not the one who raped me.”

Although, he did have a striking resemblance, albeit a youthful one, to his father.

He paused one moment then nodded. “With that said I have to reason to question the paternity of the baby and so I believe we should get married. You want your baby to go as Ramirez and I want an heir. If we get married we can satisfy both of our desires without drawing undue attention to ourselves from the media.”

“Undue attention?” she questioned, “I think it’s a little too late for that judging by the crowd stalking my apartment building.”

“Current media frenzy aside, it’s a good sound plan.”

“You want us to get married? Wouldn’t a wedding cause undue attention as you put it? As evident by the swarm of reporters already pestering me, I think a wedding would draw all sorts of attention my way”.

“There was always going to be media attention. This way, it’s going to be for a short time, their attention will be in a positive light. They will take pictures, ask questions then get bored and eventually lose interest.”

“But why would you shackle yourself to a lifelong commitment or will the marriage be temporary?”

‘Before meeting you, I had no intention of getting married. So there is no risk of me wanting to get married to anyone else in the future. Hence, our marriage would be real and lasting, unless and until you find yourself falling in love and wishing to be with that person. In such a case, we will discuss an amicable divorce and joint custody and you will be free to move on with your life.” 

Even as he said that part, a cold hand coiled around his heart and squeezed. He could not fathom having the strength to let Vanessa go once she agreed to be his wife. Once she was his, there would be no letting go… no turning back. She didn’t need to know that just yet.

Reeling from his proposal, Vanessa realized she was unable to process everything in order to make a decision.

“Oh god,” she said, “this is too much. I can’t make a decision. My emotions are all over the place. Only ten minutes ago, I was considering moving to another town, now I’m to consider marriage?”

“Moving? Why on earth would you think about moving at a time like this?” He questioned in alarm.

“To avoid this!” She gestured wildly.

Seeing her turmoil, Nicklaus sought to make things easier for her.

“You don’t have to make a decision now. But since the reporters won’t leave you alone until they get the scoop, you can come and stay at my house. I have a mansion with twelve bedrooms with staff and security. It will give you an opportunity to rest and relax, without worry while you make a decision.”

Stunned, she stared at him.

“You have my word, Vanessa. I will protect you and your baby. You will both be safe and cared for.”

Taking her time to mull over his offer, Vanessa considered all her options.

While Nicklaus had a reputation for being ruthless, he had never been unkind. With the limited choices she presently had, she made a decision and prayed for her sake and that of her unborn baby, it was the right one.

“Okay, I'll come with you. I'm not agreeing to the marriage. I just need a quiet place where I can think things through and make a decision without reporters hounding me,” she said and went into her bedroom to retrieve a suitcase to pack her clothes.

“Just pack what you need for the night. I’ll have one of my assistants come over tomorrow to pack the rest of your stuff for you.” Nicklaus said following her into the small bedroom.

 Looking at her intently, he added, “you are carrying the future heir to the Ramirez estate. We’re a powerful family and there are people who resent us. There are people who want to hurt us. If you leave with me now, know you are acknowledging a connection to us and will be a target as such. I not trying to scare you but I need you to understand that.”

She immediately shook her head trying to digest what he had just said.

Her mouth went dry at the thought of constantly being targeted, but she refused to be scared. “I believe you when you said you will protect us. I trust you, Nicklaus.”

Her words caught him off guard and rocked him to his core. He felt a tingling sensation in his stomach as warmth spread throughout his body at her words. 

Walking towards her, he took the suitcase she had packed and led her out of her apartment.

He would have to be careful, he warned himself, or he would find himself falling hard for the sweet innocent Vanessa.