Chapter 2

Marty had been waiting so long for a reply that she was sure she was going to be turned away. She felt sick at the thought knowing that her aunt was depending on her. She was the only person Marty had left in the whole world and though Kiki had been far from loving over the years, Marty couldn't let her just die. She needed a life-saving surgery and she would have it, somehow, someway.

With that thought in mind, Marty went to press the intercom button again. She was prepared to beg and plead to speak to Victor if necessary. But before she could hit the button again, the disembodied, sultry voice was back.

"Mr. Lord has agreed to see you," the woman said.

A wave of relief shot through Marty's body for a moment and then the gate was slowly drawing back and she was feeling something entirely different. Nervous anticipation coursed through her whole frame. She wondered how Victor would react to seeing her again after nearly six years. He might have agreed to see her just so he could spit at her and throw her out. She wouldn't exactly blame him considering the way she had run out on him…

She wondered if he was still as gorgeous as ever, if her toes would curl the way they used to just when she saw him walk into a room. The idea of seeing the older man again both scared her and sent butterflies zipping through her stomach all at the same time.

She walked through the gate and up the long driveway to the villa. It was the most impressive house Marty had ever seen. Victor was clearly doing very well financially - even more so than before.

She reached the front steps and taking a deep breath, walked up them slowly. She reached the front door and raised her tiny fist to knock but before she could, it was opening and a petite, slim and very attractive woman with porcelain skin was standing there. She said nothing to Marty, just swept her arm back in a gesture to invite Marty in and then moved towards the staircase.

Marty felt immediately intimidated by the woman. She was in her late twenties or early thirties and not only incredibly beautiful but she moved with a decided air of sophistication and grace. She also seemed cold and aloof. She clearly didn't want Marty there either. Perhaps she had a personal relationship with Victor…

Marty hated to admit even to herself that the thought bothered her.

Marty followed the woman up the long staircase to the second floor landing. There was a huge picture window to the right and Marty looked out at the ocean for a moment with its huge crashing waves below. Then the woman was knocking on a door opposite them and Marty heard Victor's familiar voice say, "Don't keep me waiting." Even the sound of his demanding voice still got to her and she shivered a bit.

The woman pushed back the door and finally spoke. "She's here now," she said and stepped back a bit to allow Marty to enter.

Marty's steps were slow as she walked into the huge, oak-paneled study. Her eyes fell on Victor as she came to a stop in front of his desk. She swallowed hard as his gorgeous eyes settled on her. Yes, her toes were definitely curling now and she felt a bit faint though she tried to tell herself it was just from the heat of the day.

"Marty," he said, neither his face nor his voice betraying any emotion.

"Hello, Victor," she replied. "This is a wonderful home you have here."

"Did you come thousands of miles just for a tour?" Victor asked.

"Actually, no," Marty said. "I really need to talk to you."

She turned and looked at the dark-haired beauty whose sharp eyes were studying her and not appearing to like what she was seeing. "Can we – Would it be okay if we talked in private?"

Victor sighed and looked at the other woman. "That will be all, Toni. Shut the door on your way out."

The woman looked highly perturbed by Victor's dismissal but finally nodded and slipped out the door, shutting it after her the way she had been ordered to.

Victor pointed to a plush leather chair across from him. "Sit, Marty."

"Okay," she agreed and slid down into the chair, crossing her legs. She noticed him studying her curiously but she couldn't read the expression in his eyes exactly. But she thanked God that he hadn't thrown her out … yet.

Victor then moved to the window of his study and looked out it before turning and preparing a glass of rum at the wet bar. She thought he would drink it but instead he brought it to her and forced it into her hand. "Victor, I'm not –"

"You're the legal drinking age now, aren't you?" He asked.

She nodded. "Yes but I would like to keep my head on straight for now."

He smirked. "Just for now…" He tapped the tumbler's glass. "You came a long way. You need time to relax."

Why did it feel like he was slowly luring her into a trap? And why was she not running screaming from there?

Because of Aunt Kiki, she told herself. I have to stay and stick this out for her.

Marty's hand shook a bit as she put the tumbler to her lips and took a long drink. She sipped it and then rested it on her lap, holding one side so the remaining liquid didn't spill on the fabulously, thick white carpet. She cleared her throat. "How are you?" She asked.

Victor looked annoyed by the question. "I don't think you care, Marty." He held up a hand to stop her protest. "Just tell me why you're here, why you so desperately needed to see me."

"It's about my Aunt Kiki…"

Victor rolled his eyes. "What about the old bag?" He leaned against the grand desk in front of Marty, crossing his arms, and watching her with a look that was almost predatory. She shivered again in spite of herself.

Marty sighed. "Kiki is ill, very ill. She is dying."

"She partied long and hard, what do you expect? She won't be missed."

"Victor, please. This isn't easy for me."

"What's not easy?"

"Kiki will die if she doesn't have a very expensive surgery for her liver. The family money is all gone by now –"

Victor held up a hand to stop her. "So let me guess here. You came to throw yourself at my feet and beg me to pay for the surgery that will save the nasty bitch's life." It wasn't a question.

Marty ducked her head. "Victor, you aren't making this easy."

"Why should I? For Christsake, Marty, she always treated you like dog shit on her shoe. Why do you want to help her so much when she'd never think twice about doing the same for you?"

"She's my only family left, Victor. She is literally all I have to remember my parents by."

"You don't need someone like her in your life," Victor said. He looked at her so intensely then she had to look away then. "But, Marty, I will gladly pay for your auntie's 'live-saving' surgery."

"Really?"

"There's one condition though of course. Well, let's call it a bargain."

"What do you want?"

"I will pay for Kiki's surgery if you agree to be the mother of my heir."

Marty was glad she wasn't drinking at the time because she would have surely choked on it. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. I need a … baby mama if you will … and you just fit the bill."

"Victor –" She broke off as he slowly began to circle her like a hawk about to spring on its unsuspecting prey.

"Marty, I need a baby to carry on my legacy. You are young and you are strong. And very beautiful," he said, flicking one of her curls. "You would be the perfect mother for my child."

Marty's heart was hammering in her chest. She didn't know how to respond but he was waiting and she didn't have a lot of time. "So you would help Kiki if I agreed to be artificially inseminated?"

"Uh-uh," Victor said, pausing behind her and whispering in her ear, "We'd have to make a child the old-fashioned way."

"Victor!" She gasped.

"Marty, it's just more fun that way," he whispered, his warm, minty breath caressing her ear. "Now do you want to save your Aunt Kiki's life or not?"

"Victor, there's so much I need to think about. I don't know if I can make a baby and after nine months, just walk away from them…"

"Not even for your dear Aunt Kiki?" Victor said. "I know you, Marty girl. Despite the abominable way she has always treated you, you would do anything for her. Even force yourself to have sex with the man you threw away like garbage."

"Victor, I didn't mean to hurt you. I swear –"

He moved away from her. "I don't want to talk about the past, Marty. I only want to talk about the future. If you won't agree to make a baby with me, then you can leave right now. Let Kiki's death be on your stubborn head."