Love Me Now (14 page)

“A DR allowance. What's that?”

“It's a discretionary retirement fund. Your mother opened one with them before any of this happened.”

“So Mom still has money invested with them? Why? After everything that happened with you? I don't understand.”

“They can't withdraw from that account. It can only be added to.”

“So if the DR allowance is a retirement fund, why would he care about holding on to your retirement account?” Kenya asked, more to herself than to her father.

“Your mother convinced me to let it go and let him hold it. After I invested in the company, I found out that Trey had also invested in the company. He had invested almost as much as I had. I knew what it meant.”

“What?” she asked, having no idea.

“That's how he operates. He grabs a few shares then a few more until you realize that he holds the majority shares in your company. Cal confirmed that he stole his father's company without even a second thought. I wasn't about to let that happen.”

“But why would he want your company? He makes millions.”

“I believe it's a power thing with him. He can't resist a challenge.”

“So you're saying that you posed a threat,” she asked.

“I did a lot of research on Trey Evans and TE Acquisitions. I saw an opportunity.”

“What do you mean an opportunity?” she asked.

“I found a way to outmaneuver him and buy a stake in his
firm. It was all just business. I was going to use it as leverage and keep him out.”

“Dad, don't tell me that you went after Trey's company.”

“It was just business. I wanted control,” he insisted. “I saw an opportunity, that's all. It happens all the time.”

“So what happened then?”

“Trey found out and offered Cal money to buy him out.”

“Let me guess, Cal sold his portion to Trey.”

“Yes, with what he already had, plus Cal's shares, Trey Evans is now the majority holder in my company.”

“He stole your company. That's what you meant when you said it was gone. You don't actually own all of it anymore. Trey does, at least the majority of it. So the money's not all gone, it's just tied up.”

“Exactly, but as the majority stock holder, Trey can decide to sell the company for as little as five dollars if he wants. All he has to do is give me a percentage and it would still be legal.”

“He wouldn't do that to you, Dad.”

“He did it to his father's company, so let me take care of this.”

“But, Dad—”

“Kenya, let me handle this. Just wait until I get back. I'll take care of everything. Remember, your mother always says, nothing ever came from being angry and not thinking first.”

“Fine.” She lied to her father for the first time.

B
ut it wasn't fine. She had no intention of sitting back and doing nothing. Trey owed her father and she intended to make him pay him back. Shelly thought Kenya was joking, but now she was serious. She wanted to hurt Trey, just like he hurt her father.

Furious after her phone conversation, she got into her car and drove to Trey's. She had no idea what she was going to say or do. She just knew that she had to do something. She looked up at the Woodley Park home. This is where it all started. So the idea of coming back here made her uneasy. The one good thing was Trey had no idea what she intended to do. Unfortunately, neither did she.

She reached up to press the doorbell but stopped herself. She was opening a Pandora's box. Trey was too good at this. Plus, he stirred feelings inside her that she wasn't sure she wanted to control.

I can do this, I can do this,
she thought to herself.
This is
business, nothing else. I can do this.
But doubt quickly surfaced. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. She was too angry. Mistakes happen when you're emotional. She needed a moment to think clearly and calmly. She turned to leave but then stopped.

He would expect her to be angry and hostile, like their last meeting. But as her mother always said, “Nothing ever came from being angry and not thinking first.” She was absolutely right. An offer of honey would be unexpected. She needed to be amenable. There was nothing more devastating than an unexpected stab in the back. She turned when she heard the door open. Trey was fully dressed, this time in jeans and a shirt. “Hi,” she said softly.

“Hi,” he repeated.

She took a deep breath….
Cold, unfeeling, emotionless.
“I stopped by—” She paused and swallowed hard. “I wanted to know if you found a nanny for the twins.”

He nodded. “Yes, she starts tomorrow morning.”

“And tonight?” she asked calmly.

“So are you back to being a nanny again?” he asked.

“No, but if you needed help, I was going to offer my babysitting services.”
Stay focused, stay businesslike.

“No need. The twins are out for the evening,” Trey answered.

“Oh, I see.” She nodded, curious as to where they were. “Back with their mother, I assume?”

“No, Madi's still away.”

“I see.” He didn't offer any more explanations so she didn't ask any more questions.

“Is there anything else?” he asked.

“No…well, yes, I want to apologize about earlier. I was rude. The things I said were out of anger and spite. I shouldn't have attacked you like that, I'm sorry.”

“Apology accepted.” He smiled easily.

Kenya was surprised by the quick acceptance. “That's it, just like that, apology accepted.”

“I don't hold grudges. It's pointless.” The charm was most definitely back.

“You realize that I'm not apologizing for what I intend to do to you,” she said. He nodded, still smiling. “Make no mistake, Trey, I'm going to get my father's company back, and if ruining you in the process is what it takes, then so be it,” she promised soundly, with unwavering determination.

Trey chuckled. A threat like that would usually give him cause for concern, at the very least put him on guard. But for reasons he couldn't begin to fathom, he welcomed her challenge. As a matter of fact, he wouldn't have it any other way. “Then let the games begin.”

Cold, emotionless, unfeeling.
She nodded then took a step back to leave. “Okay, well, so much for small talk. Good night.”

“Wait,” he called to her, “have you eaten yet? I just cooked a late dinner.”

She smiled slyly, not too surprised that he'd called her back. “You cooked…You can cook?”

“I'm a very good cook,” he declared.

She chuckled. “Really?”

“Yeah, come on in.”

Yes!
“So what is this, part of the ‘keep your enemies closer' strategy?”

“Actually it's the ‘I'm hungry and I hate to eat alone' strategy.”

“Uh-huh, we'll see.” She stepped inside and looked around. Other than the foyer and dining room, the house lights were dimmed. She walked toward the living room. The large area, softened by low lights, glowed with the muted blaze of the fireplace. Soft music flowed all around her. The setting was pure seduction. It was as if he'd been expecting someone. “Were you busy?”

“No.”

“Expecting someone?” she asked. He smiled too wide and too bright. The knowing glint in his eyes told her everything. “You knew I'd come tonight?” He chuckled. “You do have a tendency to be very sure of yourself, don't you?” He began chuckling again. She looked around more carefully. The place was pure seduction. “You don't really think I'm going to sleep with you, the man who stole my father's company, do you?”

“Did I say that?” he asked.

“You didn't have to,” she muttered. “The smirk is all over your face. You are so full of yourself.”

Trey laughed out loud. “Come on into the kitchen, dinner's almost ready.” He led. She followed. As soon as she entered, she smelled a heavenly aroma. “Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Sure, thanks,” she said.

“Champagne?” he offered as he grabbed another glass, filled it then handed it to her.

“Champagne? Are you celebrating?”

“It's Perrier-Jouet. It's perfect with this dish.”

“The flower bottle, I know. I once got a bottle as a thank-you gift for a gown I designed.”

“Must have been a really nice gown,” he said.

“It was.”

“But I thought you designed only for children.”

“I do primarily, but once in a while the opportunity presents itself.”

“I see. You're an opportunist.”

“Aren't we all?” she stated.

He nodded.

“So what are you cooking?” she asked as she sat down at the counter. “Whatever it is, it smells incredible.”

“Thanks, it's just pasta, something simple.”

“You mean a can of spaghetti, right?” she asked.

“Actually it's grilled chicken with portabello mushrooms in a wine-and-cheese sauce over linguini.” Kenya chuckled. Trey nodded sincerely.

She got up, walked around to the front of the stove, picked up the lid and inhaled. “Ohh, you gotta be kidding me. You cooked this?”

“Yes,” Trey said.

“No, seriously,” she said. “Not frozen, freeze-dried or takeout. You actually sliced mushrooms and everything?” He nodded. “Because I once dated this guy who supposedly cooked dinner for me, but I saw the takeout boxes in the trash can. He even had a pot of water boiling on the stove that he borrowed from his stepmom.”

“You're not very trusting, are you?”

“Should I be, given our relationship?”

“Touché. By all means, check the trash can,” he offered.

“No, that's okay, I believe you.”

“No, you don't. You don't trust me.”

She wanted to tell him that she didn't trust herself with him but she didn't. “You have questionable practices.”

“Are you referring to business or personal?”

“Both, but let's talk personal for a minute.”

“Sure, what would you like to know?” he asked.

“Actually, it's what I already know. You're a saint, a sinner, an angel, a devil, a philanthropist and, my personal favorite, a serial dater.”

Trey chuckled through the entire list. “I need to update my profile. But wait, a serial dater, what's that?”

“It's a man who dates frequently, but after a few dates he dumps them, moves on, leaving a trail of broken hearts.”

“Wow, you make it sound pretty bad.”

“Yes, it is. So why do you treat women like that?”

“Honestly, I don't believe I do. Yes, I date often. And I'm smart enough to know what I want and don't want.”

“You're saying that what you do to women is a good thing?”

“I'm saying women do it all the time. They date lots of men and they try to change, manipulate or improve them only to find out that it doesn't work. So they go out and start all over again. One date is enough to let me know if I want to be with a person. No wasted time, no expended energy. One date and I know. I don't want to change anyone into what I want. I accept people at face value, and go from there.”

Kenya listened to his explanation and found herself agreeing. In all honesty, he made a good point. Spending time trying to change someone into something else was a waste. She knew dozens of women who did just that, and then complained when it happened to them.

“Maybe we should talk about something else. Tell me about the twins, you and their mother.”

He nodded. “What do you want to know?”

“I know you're not married, so are the two of you still together or not?”

“The two of us…Oh, I get it. The twins aren't mine. They're my cousin's children. I'm babysitting.”

“You're babysitting.” She sighed, relieved. “Wait, but why? Who would do that? Let's face it, you're the last person I'd ask to babysit.”

“Did you just insult me?”

Kenya laughed. “Come on, you're not exactly father knows best. You're a disaster. How in the world did you get tapped?”

“I probably shouldn't tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

“You'd probably think we're all certifiable.”

“Now you have to tell me.”

“I lost a poker game. The last pot had babysitting in it. My
cousin and her husband had to go out of town and I volunteered, called in my own marker to help out.”

“What? And they let you?”

“They trust me,” he said simply. “Trust is important in my family.” Kenya took a sip of wine. The sincerity of his answer made her feel guilty. She was there for one reason and that was to find a way to hurt him—so much for trust. “Are you okay? You got quiet on me.”

She smiled weakly. “I'm fine, just thinking.”

Trey nodded, seeing her pensive expression. He decided to change the subject. “So, Kenya, do you cook…can you cook?”

“I can when I have to, but I'd rather not. I bake.”

“Bake, like cakes and cookies?” he asked.

“Breads mostly. I love the smell of baked bread. It comforts me. My grandmother and Mom baked bread all the time. I'd sit in the kitchen and do my homework. I'm pretty sure that's what got me through algebra. I hated math.”

“I loved math.”

“I know. You're incredibly smart at both math and business. You're an insatiable reader, and your knowledge of capital markets and economic trends is unparalleled. An entrepreneur at a young age, you worked for your father at his company before striking out on your own. Undergrad at Georgetown, masters at Berkeley, then there's GWU and Wharton. You're six foot two inches, green eyes, black hair with no discernable markings.” By this time Trey had turned to her.

“Discernable markings?” he queried.

“Tattoos. Did I miss anything?”

“No, that was impressive,” he said. “Although my eyes are more hazel than green.”

She nodded. “I'll make sure to make a note of that.”

They laughed as Trey plated the food. Moments later he served dinner and added more champagne to her glass. They
ate, laughed, talked and joked. She found out that he was born in Philadelphia and was a huge Eagles fan. She being a Redskins fan, they talked about football at length. She helped him clear the table and dried as he washed the dishes by hand.

“It's going to be a shame when I take you down.”

“Still think you will?”

“Of course. I have no doubt.”

“Interesting, very interesting,” he said.

“Don't you have a dishwasher in this huge kitchen?”

“Yes, of course. But I seldom use it. It's usually only me.”

“He cooks, he cleans, he babysits for family. What else does he do?”

“He offers dessert,” Trey said. “You up for ice cream?” he asked.

She nodded then sighed heavily. This was wrong. Everything she read about him pointed to the fact that he was cool-blooded and calculating. But here he was scooping up chocolate ice cream for dessert and adding whipped cream and cherries. The contradictions were dizzying.

“Come on. Dessert is best in the living room.”

“Chocolate ice cream and whipped cream, is this how you seduce all your women?”