KEPT: A Second Chance Fairy Tale (7 page)

Son of a bitch.

Opening the door, I fake a smile. “Hey, Margret. We were just heading out.”

Removing the oversized sunglasses from her face, she shoves them on top of her head and walks past me, uninvited, to enter my apartment. If I weren’t already frazzled after enduring this morning of chaos, I’d use my extra energy to scowl at her mumbling words of condescension once she takes in the state of my home.

Yes, it’s a disaster, like my life.

“What are you doing here?” I question, keeping one hand on the handle of the door I just closed behind her.

“I thought I’d stop by and say hello to my grandson.”

I look at my watch and note the time. I’m going to be late on my first day if she doesn’t get to her point. “At eight o’clock in the morning?”

“Yes, well, I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d…”

She stops talking when Dillon starts to cough.

“Must be the dust in here,” she smarts off as I walk to Dillon and lower myself in front of him.

Dillon moves his head to the side once I’ve blocked his view of the cartoons. He hasn’t even noticed Margret’s arrival. Either that or he’s ignoring her, just as I wish I could. Feeling his head, I note it isn’t warm, but I refuse to believe she’s right about the dust.

Wicked, evil woman.

Gathering the bag he packed to go to daycare, I question, “What do you need? We were just headed out.”

“I got a call yesterday,” she begins, smoothing out the front of her perfectly ironed skirt. “I heard you quit Carter’s. So, before too much time passes, I wanted to stop in and be sure you have a financial plan.”

That’s not the only reason she’s here. She also came to gloat.

Standing from my crouched position, I steel my spine and make my way to her. I’m not about to fold under her ridiculous insinuations in my own home.

Over the years, Margret had tried every tactic of intimidation to get Gabe to see the error of his ways and leave me. She loved him, I get that, but she also thought she knew me well enough to think I didn’t.

“I got a new job.”

Her eyebrows lift with suspicion. “Really? Where?”

“Mercer Law.”

Her look of suspicion morphs into doubt.

“Corbin Mercer.” I drop his name in hopes it’s strong enough to get her to back off. “Do you know him?”

“No, I don’t think I do. I’m not familiar with the name,” she claims, but Margret Monroe knows everyone – in or out of her social circle.

“He hired me to be his personal assistant.”

“Personal assistant?” she questions accusingly. “I wasn’t aware you were qualified to be anyone’s assistant.”

Seriously?

“Yes, well, I’ll learn. If you don’t mind, I’ll be late if we don’t get going.”

Clutching her bag, she turns toward the door. She’s mere inches from being out of it before turning back around.

“Did you receive the letter from the counselor I’ve chosen to help with our differences regarding Dillon?”

“I did, but I don’t know if all that is necessary,” I tell her, always fearing what her money can buy.

“It is if you don’t want this taken any further. I just want someone to talk to him. Someone outside of us to tell me he’s okay here.”

“I’m his mother. Of course I know he’s okay,” I contest.

“Don’t be upset, Lucy,” she tells me. “I wouldn’t do it unless this was in his best interest.”

“Right,” I half laugh, half scoff. “You’re wasting your time.”

Margret is only doing this to get to me. She hasn’t spent quality time with Dillon in months. She’s been so busy spreading her good cheer, and she’s decided to spread it here this morning.

“You’ll be there,” she informs without question.

“Do I need to bring a lawyer?”

“No, Lucy,” she softens a touch, which I don’t trust. “This meeting is merely a discussion between adults.”

“Discussion?” I repeat, expecting her to clarify.

She doesn’t. Instead, she dismisses me. “We’ll work something out.”

I just want her out of my apartment, so I don’t say anything more, hoping she’s finished and will leave. She nods and smiles smugly. When she does, I notice the red lipstick grossly painting her front teeth.

“We’ll talk later,” she offers as goodbye.

Before I bother with a comment I wouldn’t regret, Margret turns around, opens the door, and walks through it.

She never even said so much as hello to her grandson.

Gloating, evil queen.

Once I’ve arrived at the downtown high-rise office building, I check the time. It’s 8:57 a.m. Three minutes to spare.

Not a lot.

The elevator ride to the eleventh floor is drawn out. People getting on and off in such a hurry only adds to my anxiety.

“There you are,” Corbin greets, meeting me at the reception desk as I step from the elevator. The young redhead, whose nameplate reads ‘Amber’, offers me a quick smile before turning her dreamy gaze back to our boss. He doesn’t even notice.

The office is busy. People are in motion, talking on phones or to each other. Tall, grey filing cabinets line each wall, and expensive office furniture takes up all the space in between.

“Sorry. I had planned on being in earlier, but–”

“Things come up, Lucy. It’s okay,” he reassures, cutting me off and prodding me forward with a hand to my back.

I hadn’t had the opportunity to really get a good look at Corbin yesterday morning, mainly because I wasn’t in a position to admire. When he called, obviously getting my phone number from Tyler, and asked if he could come over again to talk, I thought he meant socially. I wasn’t against the idea, but after being married to a boy next door kind of guy, I wasn’t overly enthused about the possibility of dating another.

When he arrived wearing his gym clothes, I knew he wasn’t there to impress, so I was immediately relieved. My relief was short-lived as he started asking a series of odd questions I hadn’t seen coming so early on a Sunday morning.

He wanted to know if I had any office experience at all. I didn’t lie. I told him the only work experience I had so far was waiting tables, but I loved it.

Then he told me about a position at his firm he thought I’d be perfect for, and the hours I’d be needed. I loved the idea of working days and spending my evenings at home with Dillon.

He went on to explain the hourly wage and the job’s expectations. Aside from probable travel, my concerns were minimal. I couldn’t resist.

Now that he’s not filling my head with talk about my daily duties, I have a chance to study him up close. I note how attractive he is. He’s definitely got the ‘boy next door’ look about him, too. Even though I haven’t known him long, I’d be willing to bet he uses this to his benefit.

His frame is broad, and even his hands look strong. His dark blond, almost brown hair is cut short. He has natural-looking bronze skin, which causes me to wonder if he plays golf or enjoys being near the water. His bright smile could make a girl forget her manners and do just about anything he asked in order to be with him, if only until the next morning. The eyes, though, are his main attraction. They’re dark green with hints of brown and gold.

I haven’t met his silent partner, Michael Holden, but he said I’d be meeting him today and my working hours would be split between them.

As we make our way around the office, I do all I can to keep up with Corbin’s quick steps. I continue following while he briefs me on what to expect.

“You’ll meet Lillie after Mike’s done with her. She sits with him every morning to help plan his day.”

“To help plan his day?” I repeat, thinking this doesn’t sound like the job he described.

“Long story. But if anyone needs anything from Michael, they already know to go through Lil. It’s easier that way.”

“Got it.”

Then he adds a truth in regards to my position, which hadn’t come to mind. “Until she’s gone and you take her place. Then it’ll be you who does everything for us both.”

Internally, I cringe at his statement.

What have I gotten myself into?

As Corbin opens the door to what is obviously his office, I take a quick look behind me to the open door across from it.

A
very
attractive younger-looking, dark-haired man with black-rimmed glasses sits behind a mahogany desk. He’s dressed in a pressed black suit with matching grey tie. Although I just listed Corbin as attractive in a boy next door kind of way, this man is anything but.

His aura exudes power and self-control. Smoldering doesn’t describe him. It’s more brooding, and if I saw him any other place than here, I’d immediately be attracted.

However, now he appears intimidatingly pissed off. After he looks up and catches me staring, he sits back and removes his glasses. His eyes, which become hooded, scan my body slowly, then come to rest on my face.

He looks pensive, maybe even angry. I glance down at what I’m wearing to ensure everything’s in place. Once I’m convinced it is, I hear a sudden hiss, followed by a violent, “What the fuck?” This causes the older woman’s head to lift, and she brings her gaze to mine. She offers a small, yet reassuring smile before bracing her hands on the arms of the chair and turning back to focus on him.

“Ignore him,” Corbin interrupts, using his hand to push me forward into his office. “Let’s go in so I can explain what you’ll be learning today.”

Michael

“Michael Holden, do
not
say another word!” Lillie snaps, forcing my attention back to her.

The woman I just saw not three seconds ago, standing in the hallway of my office,
can’t
fucking be here. Not for the reason I’m afraid she is.

“You knew about this?” I harshly accuse, fully ready to come out of my seat.

Lillie’s guilty expression declares the truth on her behalf. She closes her mouth, draws her lips in tight, and tosses her pad of paper on the desk before sitting back in her chair.

It’s not often I’m this disappointed in Lillie Miles, but I’m full of both anger and betrayal at the moment.

“Everything may or may not be exactly what it seems,” she placates.

“Oh yeah? Because it sure
seems
like Lucy Monroe is behind Corbin Mercer’s closed office door right now. He’s either about to fuck her, or she’s here to do a job I didn’t ask her here to do.”

“Michael!” Lillie shouts at my cruel and crass statement. “That’s enough!”

She can deny it all she wants. Corbin’s unattached and, for the past three years, has chosen to be exactly that. I wouldn’t label him a man-whore, but he’s only an inch from being one. Again, the thought of him with Lucy in any way only adds to my irritation.

I hired someone.

She’ll be in my office tomorrow morning at nine to start filling out the paperwork.

“You don’t look surprised to see her here,” I hiss, then demand, “Tell me when you found out about this. I’ll advise you now, Lil, if I don’t like your answer, fuck your two weeks. I’ll fire you today.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” She breathes in deep, then furrows her brow.

In all my years allowing Lillie to run over me, I’ve never seen such shock and disappointment radiating from her. Aimed at Corbin, sure, but never me. I’ve genuinely hurt her feelings.

“Just tell me what the hell is going on and why Lucy Monroe is here.”

Lillie sighs in frustration first, then finally starts talking. “Corbin phoned me yesterday morning.
Early
. You know if Corbin Mercer is up making calls before ten o’clock on a Sunday morning, someone’s dying or something’s up. So I answered.”

“And?” I prod.

“From what he told me, he had initially visited Ms. Monroe Saturday, returning something to her—”

“Her driver’s license,” I interrupt, and she nods once. “Keep talking.”

“Yes, so, he said he wanted my opinion before he offered her my position. He really liked her and thought she’d do a good job.”

“
He
doesn’t get to make that kind of decision without
my
input,” I voice loudly, in turn causing her to wince.

“Don’t yell at me,” she snips. After shaking off her nerves, she powers on. “He said she was out of work, and thought maybe if I agreed with him to hire her temporarily then you wouldn’t be as upset because you trust me.”