Rulers of Deception (12 page)

“You don’t believe him.” Lynette sat down in one of the chairs facing his desk, clutching her purse in her hands. Pity filled her eyes. “I don’t blame you.”

Linc looked over at her. “Greg doesn’t blame me either but still insists it’s not related. I just don’t know what to think.”

“Is it possible that it’s innocent? Maybe she didn’t even know he was your best friend.”

Linc scoffed. “What’s the likelihood of that? She happens to start dating the one guy in a city of eight million people that calls himself my best friend just as she’s preparing to do a story on us? That’s bullshit and you and I both know it.”

Lynette frowned. “But does Greg believe it?”

“No.” Linc’s fists clenched, recalling his friend’s complete denial. “He refuses to even consider that she could be using him to get information on me. Stubborn jackass.”

Wishing she knew what to do, Lynette reached over the desk and held his hand, urging him to look at her again. “Maybe you should confront this woman about it, hear her side.”

“Oh, trust me, I will.” Linc sighed and squeezed her hand. “Whatever. It’s not worth ruining our lunch date over.”

Her lips curved into a kind smile. “No, it’s not. Let’s get out of here.”

“We’re taking my car. I need to drive fast and reckless. Hope you don’t mind.”

She laughed as he got to his feet and swept her up on her own, placing a fast kiss on her mouth. “It’s hard to go very fast in this town. I’m not worried.”

“Maybe, but I’m gonna try.”

“Hopefully that paparazzi creep is gone by now,” she said as he led her from the office.

“What paparazzi creep?”

She shrugged it off. “Some guy outside on the street. He was taking pictures of me when I got here. I’m sure it was nothing.”

He sighed. “When will these assholes learn to get a life?”

“Until there’s no one left who cares to listen, they’ll keep trying. That’s how the game is played.”

Quinn stayed late
that evening to help Raoul and the kitchen staff with an unexpected table of twelve that showed up. The group would have been ushered out for lack of a reservation, but since Marshall was with them and they were old friends of his, Quinn and Raoul had no choice but to make due.

On the plus side, by the time she was finished Grant was just leaving. She ran into him in the lobby by chance, and tried not to let her concern for Kennedy show in her smile. She’d have to practice her own poker face for the evening.

“Hey, stranger.” She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him, pleased when his free hand came around her waist and brought her closer.

“You’re here late.” Grant studied her, worried she was working herself too hard.

“Marshall came in with some friends so we got held up.” She reached for his hand and began to walk. “On the plus side, we get to ride home together.”

“Yes we do.” He noted that despite the extra hours, she seemed just as happy as always. He’d never understand how she did it.

They slipped into the town car waiting in the valet area. As the car pulled away, Quinn leaned over in her seat to playfully loosen his tie. She knew if she didn’t distract herself, she’d let the secret slip by accident. “You always look so handsome in a suit and tie. I think that’s what did me in. I have a weakness for a well-dressed man.”

Grant gently tried to push her back, his eyes darting to the back of the driver’s head. “I thought you fell for my sense of humor.”

Quinn giggled and kissed his jawline, her hands tightening on his jacket to keep him close. “We all know I’m the joker here. You do your best, though.”

He winced when her free hand trailed down between his thighs, desire beating the awkwardness he felt on the head with a crow bar. Knowing he couldn’t wait another second, he reached over and tapped his driver on the shoulder.

“Pull over up here, Sam.” When the car came to a stop, he dug into his wallet for a fifty-dollar bill and handed it to his driver. “There’s a great sandwich shop down the street. Go get yourself something and give us twenty minutes.”

Sam accepted the cash with a silent nod, then slipped from the car and left them alone.

Quinn’s face lit with a delighted grin. “Wow, this is
so
unlike you.”

Grant said nothing and kissed her, freeing himself from his seatbelt. He undid hers as well, then dragged her against him. His hands roamed over her back, tightening around her waist. “You should note that you started this.”

She managed a laugh as his teeth nipped her earlobe, her mind spinning. “Okay, true. Just don’t stop.”

He pulled away to look her in the eyes, the amber in his intense and a little bit wild. “I paid fifty dollars so I wouldn’t have to stop this.”

“Good point.” Her mouth found his again as she pulled him down with her, both of them lost in the moment and in each other. Grateful for it, she let all thoughts of Kennedy flee her mind.

A
fter a day so busy she forgot to eat lunch, Madison finally found a second to sit in her office and simmer. She shut the door and settled into her chair, letting her head fall back. As her eyes closed she inhaled deeply, then released the pressure and stress on a long, soothing exhale.

Being in charge had its advantages, but Lord did it have its days. She’d always envied Cyrus his ability to remain so cool under pressure, always in control. If he’d ever felt weak a day in his life he hadn’t shown it. She was trying her best to do the same.

Weakness, even justified, was for everyone else. Not for her. Not for the person Cyrus entrusted to run the family empire. She had no choice but to rise above it and conquer. And conquer she would because she’d settle for nothing less.

Feeling better, she reached blindly for the bottle of sandalwood-scented lotion sitting on her desk. After dabbing some on her palms she began to rub it in, massaging the pressure points and easing the aches. The scent calmed and centered her.

She heard muffled sounds beyond the closed door of her office and dreaded what she knew was to be an interruption of her brief ten-minute break. Hearing what was clearly Daniel’s voice had all the pressure she’d just smoothed away come roaring back in.

The door pushed open and Madison heard him step inside. She wondered if she simply ignored him if he’d go away. Knowing he wouldn’t, and not trusting him enough to keep her eyes closed, she opened them.

“Hello, Daniel.” She rested her hands on the arms of her chair in a casual yet authoritative posture.

Daniel brushed at the fabric of his indigo suit jacket. “You said you’d meet with me again, so here I am. I want to discuss the New Haven location with you.”

“I don’t know why. Everything is going smoothly.” One brow rose curiously and a hint of a sarcastic smile traced her lips. “What more is there to discuss?”

He shut the door and stood before her desk, awkwardly trying to find something to do with his hands. He decided to cross his arms instead, giving him the look of a petulant teenager. “I don’t like the changes you’re making. Getting rid of five first floor rooms to put in some gym equipment and a bunch of computers? That’s money right out of our pockets, both in profit and in expenses.”

“The added value of having a gym and a business center will put that hotel on a level playing field with our competitors,” Madison clarified. “Look at any Hyatt or Best Western and you will see what we’re up against. We must be better in every way.”

Daniel sniffed. “We already are better. People come to McAllister for the service and friendly atmosphere, not for amenities they won’t use. They’re on vacation for God’s sake. Who uses the gym or a business center on vacation?”

“People like having the options, Daniel. And not all of them are on family vacations. Some are potential students looking into the university, some are in town on business.” She sat up in her chair and squared off with him. “The fact that you don’t understand the market explains why your father doesn’t trust you with the company.”

Anger flashed in Daniel’s eyes. “I don’t see why this can’t be discussed, why your voice trumps mine.”

“Your father and the board approved my suggestions. Until the day you find yourself on the board, my voice will trump yours.” She rose to her feet and rounded the desk, approaching him. They were the same height, allowing their eyes to meet directly. Seeing the uncertainty in his pleased her. “I told you before that we could come to a compromise. I still stand by that, but you have to play by my rules. The first being that I answer to the board and not to you.”

Something changed in his stature as the anxiety fled his expression. He smiled in an odd, disturbing way that puzzled her. “I have rules too, you know. And goals. I’ll be running my father’s company soon.” His eyes trailed over her body and slowly back to her face. “Then nothing will stand in the way of what I want.”

The violent urge to slap him was trampled by Grant’s abrupt entrance to the office. He spotted the two of them standing face to face, one furious and the other arrogantly amused.

“I didn’t know you were stopping by today,” Grant said to Daniel, his gaze shooting to his sister. She straightened and stepped back from Daniel, smoothing out her anger.

Daniel turned to Grant and sneered. “That’s because what I came to discuss doesn’t concern you. It’s between Madison and myself.”

“I hope you’ve said what you came to say, then. She has other appointments to see to.”

Grateful for her brother, Madison slipped behind her desk once more. “If you need to speak with me again, Daniel, please make an appointment or call. I don’t have time for impromptu visits.”

Daniel’s eyes narrowed at Grant as he turned to leave. He paused in the doorway and looked at Madison. “You act like you’ve won, but you haven’t. I’m not going to make this easy.”

When he left, Grant promptly shut the door and faced his sister. He crossed his arms and said nothing, inviting her to explain.

She rolled her eyes. “Nothing happened.”

“What did he say to you?” Grant ordered. “You looked ready to rip off his face. What did he say?”

“Nothing.” She met his gaze. When he didn’t budge, she sighed. “He’s a chauvinistic prick, that’s all.”

“He has some kind of sick crush on you.” Grant shook his head in disgust. “I don’t like it.”

A half laugh escaped her lips. “Join the club. I have it under control, darling. I can handle myself.”

Unconvinced, Grant unfolded his arms and eyed her sympathetically. “He’s causing too many problems. I’m going to contact his father and straighten this out.”

“Don’t.” A hint of anger flavored her tone. “Humoring him and causing a rift is what Daniel wants. The best thing we can do is brush him aside like the dirt he is.”

“I don’t trust him.”

“I don’t either.” She lifted her chin, trying not to remember how dirty she felt when Daniel looked at her. “But I trust Reed and so far our merger has been successful. There’s no reason why it can’t stay that way.”

“Daniel wants us out of the picture,” Grant pointed out.

“And Reed wants us in,” Madison reminded him. “As long as he’s with us, nothing Daniel does can hurt us.”

“We’ll see.” Grant turned to leave, then paused and looked back at her. “Be careful what you say to him, Mads.”