KEPT: A Second Chance Fairy Tale (8 page)

“
Trusted
, you mean.”

“Oh, come on!” she scoffs.

Leaning in and placing both hands on my desk, I only get a few inches closer to Lillie, but it’s enough so she gets my point. “Upset doesn’t begin to describe what I am, Miss Miles. I’m fucking
livid
.”

“Are you sure, Mr. Holden?” she slips out sarcastically, returning my formal address. Her eyebrows are raised, assessing my reaction. “I mean, you appear as
happy
as I’ve ever seen you.”

“Lillie…” I warn with a growl.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Mike. Give the girl a chance.”

“There are things she doesn’t know, Lillie. Things I’ve worked like hell to ensure she never finds out,” I needlessly explain.

“And she won’t, as long as
you
don’t tell her.”

Sitting back in my chair, placing my hand over my mouth and taking in a breath, I look up and see Lillie smirking at my expense.

This shit isn’t funny.

“I’ve not met her yet, but from what Corbin told me, I’d say she’s a bit of a…”

“What?” I’m resentfully curious, so I prod.

“Character? Is that the right word?”

“Character?” I repeat, not understanding.

“Nerd. Oddball. Whatever you people call them these days. He said she’s got spunk. And, like I’ve told you already, he’s convinced she’ll do a good job.”

Now it’s Lillie who needs clarification.

“No, Lil. Did you
see
her? Blonde hair, big eyes, nice build, and a great fucking smile. This isn’t Corbin convinced she’ll do a good job. This is Corbin convinced she’ll look great
trying
to do a good job.”

“You just complimented a woman, Michael,” she says quietly, as though amused. “I’ve never heard you do that.”

“Yes, you have,” I reply with indifference I no longer feel. I did just compliment the woman I’ve not forgotten about since finally seeing her in person.

Fuck
.

Lillie smiles wide before trying to prove her point. “No, sir. You haven’t
once
said anything nice about any of the women who’ve traipsed through here. You see something in Lucy, too.”

She’s right. I do.

First, I see painful memories I’ll have to live with forever because of who was once in her life, and because of the way I chose to live mine. Second, I see a woman who could hold the key to undoing all I’ve worked to secure. Even with the brief snapshot I have from watching her at Tryst, it’s clear she possesses a compelling personality with animated charisma. And I’ve all but admitted to myself she fascinates and intrigues me.

She can’t be here.

“I’m assuming, with all her vast experience in office and law, she’ll know what she’s doing?”

“You don’t need a law degree to get coffee, take notes, or plan a person’s calendar, but you already know this.”

“Does she have suitable clothes for events? Dinners, meetings, those kinds of things?”

“I haven’t inquired, but I can,” Lillie promises, writing down my list of questions.

“And a car… Does she have transportation?”

“I’ll find out,” she assures. Putting her pen down on my desk and straightening her back, Lillie asks, “Can you do something for me?”

“I’m not already?” I ask the obvious. When her face drops and she looks slighted, I realize I’ve probably pushed her too far. “What’s it you need, Lil? I’m listening.”

“Take a breath. Feel something for someone else’s circumstances.” I feel my body stiffen, and Lillie lifts her hand to keep me from talking. “I’m not saying get involved with her personally, but show her some compassion.”

“I’m showing compassion every month when I send the money to help her and her son.”

“Anyone with money can write a check, and you know it. Having a career will help her more than your checks ever could.” Lillie tilts her head, her eyes growing curious. “Can I say this in a way I think even you could understand?”

“By all means,” I grumble as she takes a breath.

She purses her lips at my rudeness, but pushes on. “Be nice,” she states plainly. “Don’t treat her unfairly because of who she is or what happened to her. She did nothing wrong, yet you’re already exposing her to your self-loathing and unwarranted guilt.”

“She’s young, inexperienced, and needs more training than any of the more qualified applicants.” I point to the stack of resumes sitting on the end of my desk. “She’ll need clothes, probably a car, and daycare for the hours we work. What the fuck was Corbin thinking?”

“He was thinking he could save you.”

“What the hell from?”

“Well…” she says hesitantly. “Yourself, Mr. Holden.”

Lucy

S
HE’S YOUNG, INEXPERIENCED, AND NEEDS
more training than any of the more qualified applicants.

Funny thing about open doors—you can hear every word on the other side without static or filter.

Corbin had just explained the role Lillie would play in showing me how to do her job before she retires in two weeks.

I had been relieved to know it wouldn’t be him or his partner training me.

I had been looking forward to learning from a ‘champ’, as he referred to Lillie.

I had even been excited about going with him to get coffee, then taking a tour of the building as my next step in orientation.

Had been.
Not anymore.

“What’d you just hear?” Corbin questions in a gentle tone as he steps up behind me.

She’ll need clothes, probably a car, and daycare for the hours we work.

The tears of insult swelling in my eyes are obvious, so there’s no point in hiding them.

“I heard enough,” I whisper, not from embarrassment, but to control my angered emotions. I’ve just been rudely insulted by a man I’ve never met.

“Mike’s different, Lucy. He’s just…”

Turning my gaze to Corbin, not wanting to hear him make excuses for his partner’s flawed character, I decide without needing another moment to think.

“This job isn’t for me, Mr. Mercer,” I voice, still standing at the door.

“Luce,” Corbin calmly tries to pacify.

“Lucy. My name is Lucy,” I correct.

Releasing a frustrated breath, Corbin lifts his head, then drops it to the floor. “Lucy,” he pronounces quietly. “He didn’t mean–”

Before he can offer any more explanation, I push the office door open to its fullest. Lillie stops talking when Mr. Holden’s head lifts in my direction and he removes his dark-rimmed glasses.

“Lucy!” Corbin calls out, but it’s too late. I’ve entered the dragon’s lair, and I’m not afraid of getting burned any more than I already have.

“Mr. Holden,” I address. I don’t know him, so I can only assume the look on his face is one of shock. “I’m not a charity case.”

“Lucy…” Lillie whispers, looking up at me standing beside her. I haven’t met her yet, but it’s clear she already knows who I am.

I don’t let her interruption deter my anger. Looking back to Mr. “Rude”, I seethe, “There’s no job worthy of being insulted on the first day—better yet, the first
hour
I’ve arrived. I’m not perfect–”

“Stop talking,” he snaps, sitting back in his chair and crossing his hands over his waist. “And sit down.”

“No, I won’t stop talking
or
sit down.” I power on with confidence. “I’ve met a lot of assholes, Mr. Holden. A
lot
. You may think in my lowly
young and inexperienced
years I haven’t, and it’s your right to state your opinion. However, in turn, I’ll state mine.”

“Oh, sweet Jesus,” Lillie shockingly murmurs as she turns around, looking behind me to what I can only imagine is a just as shocked Corbin.

My spirit begins to break and my nose starts to sting. The words I wasn’t meant to hear are finally penetrating.

In reaction to my hurt, I push, “You’re
ridiculous
! You don’t even
know
me!” I take a breath, thinking there has to be more to this than I understand. “Did my mother-in-law put you up to this? Has she gotten to you?”

His mouth opens and he starts to answer, but stops. I don’t give him a chance to speak anyway. Nothing could make his cruel reaction to me being here okay.

My gaze moves to his hands, clutched together but remaining still. I don’t see evidence of a family, but ask, “Are you married, Mr. Holden?” I don’t expect or wait for an answer. “Do you have children?”

“Lucy…” Corbin voices behind me, lacing it with a low warning.

“Oh no…” Lillie utters by my side.

I don’t stop to catch a breath, but talk over them both. “Because if you have a family, I hope they’ve never heard you talk about someone the way you just did.
You don’t know me!
”

Mr. Holden’s eyes narrow. I’m sure he’s not used to being spoken to this way. There’s anger in his expression, but I’ve also clearly struck a nerve. The hurt on his face is obvious.

“Are you finished?” he hisses through a clenched jaw. His eyes are scanning me with fury.

“Not yet,” I clip back, thinking of a thousand other things I’d like to say but, under his direct stare, my courage is gone.

Rising slowly from his seat, Mr. Holden buttons his suit jacket, walks around the desk to where I’m standing, and leans his face toward mine. The fury radiating from his body is palpable. His jaw is tight, his eyes determined. Within their depths, though, there’s something else. I see it making its way to the surface. I recognize it.

Pain
. Bold and powerful pain is hidden under his mask of fury.

“
You
don’t know
me
, so I’ll give this to you
one time
,” he seethes. “Don’t
ever
talk about my family again. Not one word in or out of this office. Do you understand?”

With my next thought lost to his intimidation, I mentally admit defeat. Saying anything else will only cause even more of a scene, if that were possible.

He backs away, looks down at Lillie, then passes me on his way to Corbin. Once he makes his way near the door, I hear his low and barely restrained voice as he addresses his partner. “Get her the fuck out of my office.”

The door slams shut, and I jump at the sound.

“Lucy?” Lillie carefully questions. She must notice the reckless tears falling from my eyes.

I don’t answer, fearing I’ll lose my already unstable composure.

“Lucy,” I hear Corbin next, then feel his warm hand rest gently on my shoulder.

As I turn around to face him, Lillie stands close and moves to position her arm around me just as gently from the side. I wipe my eyes and nose to stall for a needed breath.

“I’ll get my things and go,” I suggest quietly, hearing my voice come out raspy. “I’m so sorry.”

When I attempt to walk out of the huddle they’ve created around me, Corbin catches my wrist and pulls me back. He’s not rough, but he is determined. “Oh no. You’re not going anywhere.”

My eyebrows furrow in confusion. “What?”

Corbin smiles. “You’re not going anywhere,” he tells me again.

“No, you’re most certainly not,” Lille concurs.

Now I’m even more confused. “What? Why not?”

“You’re staying,” Corbin declares. “You’ve already accepted the job.”

“I’m declining the position,” I announce to no one, since they obviously aren’t listening.

“Too late.” Lillie smiles.

What in the world?

“Did you not see what just happened or how he reacted to me just being in the room? He hates me!”

Corbin doesn’t take any time before he claims, “No, Lucy. He doesn’t hate you.”

“Are you guys okay? Do you feel well? He
hates
me,” I say again, trying to convince these crazy people of what I know is true.

Lillie walks by to make her way to the door. She opens it, turns around, and confuses me further. “Do you have a dress fit for a black tie event?”

What in the hell is wrong with these people
?

Shaking my head in disbelief, I try to clear it, but can’t. “
What
?”

“Clothes, Mrs. Monroe,” she prods, then speaks slower. “Do you have a dress fitting a black tie event?”

“It’s Miss, not Mrs.,” I correct. When Corbin smirks, I feel like I’m missing parts of the story. Mainly, the beginning, middle and the end. “Yes, I have a dress.”

“Good,” Corbin returns, coming up from behind and using both hands to rub my shoulders. He stops, stands close, and grins. “You’ll need it next month.”

I am so confused.

“Did you people not hear me?” I ask as Corbin lets me go and makes his way to Lillie.

“Oh, we heard you, dear,” Lillie replies, smiling. “But it’s not you we’re listening to.”

Again, “
What
?”

Corbin looks at her before his gaze comes to mine. “With the way he just reacted, it’s certain my best friend just said a fuck of a lot more than he thought he did.”

“Oh, my god. You’re all nuts,” I breathe out, standing alone in the middle of the office. My hand flattens against my forehead and I exhale heavily. “Nuts,” I repeat for emphasis.

Lillie laughs, her shoulders shaking as she does. “Welcome to the family, Lucy Monroe. Now, let’s go get some coffee before we start our day, shall we?”

Crazy
!