Click.
I stare at my phone in shock. I don’t remember the last time someone hung up on me. I call again and she doesn’t answer.
My best guess is that her sister found out about her defending me. I can imagine the turmoil it’s caused.
I take a deep breath and dial her number again. It rings five times this time, but she picks up.
“What?” She sounds exasperated.
“I’m sorry, Stella.” I run the fingers of my free hand through my hair. “I… I’m guessing that Ashley found out?”
“You’re guessing right. Why are you calling me at 7pm on a Saturday night? Don’t you have a life?”
“No.”
Silence. I take a deep breath.
“Look, I had nothing to do with her finding out about you and me. I would have stopped it if I’d known.”
“First of all, please don’t use the phrase ‘finding out about you and me’ ever again. There is no ‘you and me’. I am one of your lawyers. You are a client. That’s it.”
I take a deep breath. People don’t usually talk to me like this, and it’s taking all my self-control to hold my tongue. Stella sighs.
“I think I can guess why you’re calling.”
“Yeah?”
She snorts. “Yeah. You found out that Ashley is getting deposed, and you’re shit-scared that they’ll find out about all the other shit that went down last year. So, in true ‘Mayor Adrian Maguire’ fashion, you don’t give a fuck about me or my family, and you want me to do your dirty work, find out what Ashley is going to say, and try to minimize the damage. How am I doing so far?”
I chew my lip. “Pretty good.”
“Before you picked up the phone, did you stop to consider what this is doing to me, Adrian?” Fuck, I love it when she says my name. “Did you consider that maybe my sister—my pregnant sister—currently thinks that I’ve betrayed her in the worst way? Did you think of that?”
“Of course I thought of that, Stella,” I sigh. I take a deep breath, squeezing my eyes shut and pinching the bridge of my nose. “Look, I’m sorry. I am. I never wanted this for you or your sister.”
I chew my lip. She says nothing.
“Can I see you? Please?”
She lets out a breath, and I hold mine. “Fine. I’ll come to you.”
She hangs up again. I don’t even care that she’s hung up on me twice in one evening, because my heart leaps in my chest. She’s going to come here.
I’m going to see her tonight.
I slip my phone into my pocket and head to the bathroom. I splash some water on my face and fix my hair. I look at my t-shirt and frown. I head to my bedroom and find a sweater, pulling it on and checking myself out again. I change from my house slippers to a pair of brown shoes, and then fix my hair again.
Then, I pace back and forth from the kitchen to the living room until the doorbell rings.
9
Stella
Damn, he looks good. How does he always look so put together, even when he’s in the midst of a crisis of epic proportions? I feel like a sack of shit, and I’m sure I look no better than I feel.
Adrian nods at me, opening the door for me to step through. I catch a hint of his scent as I enter the house, and my heart flutters.
No.
I need to nip these feelings in the bud. I cannot be attracted to this man. He’s selfish, arrogant, he basically ruined my sister’s life—or tried to, at least. He’s a corrupt politician and I have a bright career. Even thinking of getting involved with him is a bad idea.
Who said anything about getting involved, anyway? I’m here for business.
“Through here,” he says, motioning to a big room on the right. It’s massive, with expensive cream furnishings and a glittering chandelier. A grand piano is in the corner, sitting on top of a plush rug.
“Drink?” Adrian looks at me and nods to the bar in the corner.
I shake my head. “No, thanks. Let’s just get this over with.”
He grins, and a current of warmth snakes through my belly. Selfish. Arrogant. Corrupt. I hate him.
“So,” he starts. “I appreciate you coming over here. I could have come to you.”
“I’d rather not have you in my house.”
His grin widens as he arches his eyebrow. His stupid, sexy dimple appears. “You sure do know how to make a guy feel special.”
“I don’t think you need any help in that department.”
He laughs, nodding. “Touché. Sure you don’t want a drink? Bourbon?”
I pinch my lips together. “Fine.”
Sitting down on a long sofa, I watch him pour the drinks. His deep maroon sweater pulls across his shoulders as he pours. He leans over to grab a couple glasses and I can’t help but stare at his butt. My cheeks flush and I look away, letting my eyes roam around the room.
I don’t look at him again until he’s handing me a crystal glass full of amber liquid. My fingers brush against his as I take it, and my blush deepens.
“So,” he says, his voice gravelly. “As you know, I have a little bit of a problem.”
“We both do.”
He nods, sitting down beside me on the sofa. My breath catches in my throat. I was expecting him to sit on the chair, or on the other long couch across from me. His body is right next to mine, his knee almost touching me. My heart hammers against my ribcage and I take a quick sip of bourbon. It burns on the way down.
“I didn’t know the District Attorney would find the connection between Ashley and my brother so quickly. I’m sorry that you didn’t have more time to tell her.”
I take a deep breath. “Thank you. I appreciate that. I know it wasn’t your fault.”
He glances at me, his icy blue eyes drilling a hole into mine. “Was she mad?”
I laugh bitterly and then nod. “Yeah. She was mad. Have you ever seen an angry pregnant lady? It’s not pretty.”
He grins.
I shake my head. “She’s not really speaking to me right now, but that’ll blow over. I just don’t want this to hurt her. You know about… her past.” I pause, gauging his reaction. He dips his chin down, holding my gaze. I take a deep breath. “You’re probably worried about them tying in the former police chief, but I’m more worried about my sister.”
“That’s understandable.” He shifts his weight on the couch, and his leg gently touches mine. Butterflies erupt in my stomach and a blush stains my cheeks. I take another sip of alcohol.
“It’s in both our interests to keep this contained.”
“Well, also, I am paying you to do that,” he grins. He glances at me over his glass as he drinks.
I snort, shaking my head. “You’re unbelievable.”
“I get that a lot.”
That makes me laugh, despite my best efforts to be mad. I shake my head and stare at the ceiling, taking a deep breath to compose myself. Adrian puts his hand on my arm and I turn to him in surprise. His face is serious.
“Look, Stella. I know I’m an asshole sometimes.”
“Sometimes?”
He grins. “Especially ever since this—” he waves his hand around the room. “You know, since I started in politics. But I’m not a bad person. I don’t want to drag your sister down with me. And I don’t want to drag you down, either.”
My heart thunders. He holds my gaze and my mouth goes dry. His tongue slides out to lick his lips and I find myself mimicking the movement. His eyes flick to my lips and warmth curls in the pit of my stomach.
I clear my throat and glance away. “I appreciate that.”
He pulls his hand away from my arm, but I can still feel where his fingers were. It’s as if he’s imprinted his mark on my skin. I want it back. I want his warmth, his touch, his smell.
“The DA will definitely be deposing former Police Chief White,” I continue. “It would be crazy for him not to. If he’s already connected Ashley to this mess, he’ll definitely be digging around. It’s only a matter of time.”
�
�That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“Do you have any other skeletons in your closet? Anything else I should be aware of?” I stare at him hard, drawing my eyebrows together. “I’ll go to bat for you, Adrian. I’ll defend you to the best of my abilities and protect my sister from all this. But I need to know that you’re not hiding anything else.”
“Hand on heart,” he says, moving his palm to his chest. “I promise that there’s nothing else. It’s just the construction contract. The police chief and Ashley… they were just collateral.”
I snort, glancing at him. “Collateral.”
His face twists. “That came out wrong.”
“I think it came out exactly how you meant it.”
“You must think I’m a total dick.”
“That’s very perceptive of you.”
“Why did you come here, then? Why are you helping me at all?”
I pause to consider his question. Why am I here? I lean back in the sofa and take a deep breath. I buy some time by taking a sip of bourbon, letting it soak over my tongue and slide down my throat like liquid fire. Then, I shrug.
“For my sister,” I finally answer. I’m not sure it’s the truth. I wanted to come here. I wanted to see him. I wanted to feel his gaze on me, to smell his cologne. I wanted to be the one that he called, and I wanted to hear his voice when he said all the arrogant, cocky things he loves to say.
He nods. “Well, I’m glad you’re here.”
My whole body aches at his words. I nod, not looking at him. “I’ll talk to my sister tomorrow and prep her for her deposition.”
“I thought she wasn’t talking to you.”
“She’ll come around. She always does. She’s my sister.”
Adrian nods. He drains his glass, and I put the rest of mine on the coffee table. I stand up and brush the front of my pants, and then sling my purse over my shoulder.
He looks me in the eye and nods. “Thank you.”
Tension pulls between us like a string. Heat in my center yearns for him, pulling me closer to his broad, muscular body. I gulp.
“Yeah.” I can’t manage to say anything else.
He takes a step towards me and my heartbeat increases. I drag my eyes up to his, but I don’t see the arrogance, the bravado. The mask that he’s always worn slips away for a few moments and I see a man who’s scared, but calm.
We stand like that until I inhale and dip my chin down. “I’d better go.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
When I turn, his hand drifts to my lower back as we walk to the front door. I feel his touch as if he were branding me, and fire roars through my veins. By the time we get to the front door, my body is ablaze. I turn to him and nod.
“I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow.”
“Looking forward to it.”
I step through the door and don’t look back. Shutters click as I drive through the front gates, rolling past reporters that have nothing better to do than stand outside the doomed mayor’s gates.
10
Adrian
One thing I wasn’t expecting was having so much time for quiet contemplation. When the Hansen Constructions story first broke, I was in full-on panic mode. The first few days were damage control.
Now, there’s an eerie silence around me. Cancelled meetings, people avoiding me in the hallways in City Hall, a silent phone—it’s all new to me.
It makes me realize how little I actually have. If all this is taken away from me, what’s left? I’ve spent nearly my entire adult life chasing this dream… for what?
Usually, Sundays would be spent getting ready for the week. I’d have an easy morning and then spend the afternoon working, and usually have dinner by myself.
Today isn’t much different, except it feels like I’m preparing for battle. I get up early, have a cup of coffee, and go for a run. It’s a dull morning, grey and dark, and it reflects exactly how I feel.
The clouds are hanging low. The air feels oppressive, heavy, and damp. My body is aching when I start running, but after a few minutes I settle into an easy pace.
I do my best thinking when I’m running. Everyone always thought of my brother as the runner—he’s the one with the Olympic medal, after all—but I’ve always liked it as well. Between my runs and the weight room at the gym, it gives me enough meditative time to do my job properly.
At least, that’s what I’ve always thought.
Today, running feels like a walk through the horrible memory lane of all the mistakes I’ve made. I’ve turned my back on my brother, not made any meaningful friendships or relationships, and now I’m alone. My parents are still standing by me, albeit reluctantly—even though they’ve done worse to build their business than I ever did.
For the first time since I’ve had political ambitions, I’m starting to regret my choices. If I’d chosen a different path, a woman like Stella wouldn’t be disgusted by me. She might actually like me.
As it is now, though, I don’t stand much chance with her. As much as I’d love to convince her that I’m a good guy and she should lower her walls around me… I’m just not sure it’s true.
Maybe she’s right, and I am just a piece-of-shit politician.
By the time I get back to the mayor’s residence, I’m drenched in sweat. My shirt is clinging to my body and my hair is plastered onto my forehead. My chest heaves as I try to catch my breath, hopping up the last few steps to the front door.
Cheryl steps out towards me with a grim expression on her face. “Morning, Mr. Mayor.”
“Cheryl, hi,” I say between breaths. “What’s up?”
“Sorry to show up like this.” Her eyes drift to my chest and the drenched shirt clinging to me. She glances away. “You weren’t answering your phone.”
“I was running.” I unlock the door and let her in. She stands in the foyer and I point to the hallway. “I’ll go get changed and come back. Is everything okay?”
“Not exactly.” I frown, and she nods to the steps. “I’ll wait.”
I kick off my shoes and make my way upstairs. I’m still sweating when I get out of the shower, and my clothes stick to my damp body. It’s uncomfortable.
By the time I get back downstairs, Cheryl is waiting in the main living room. She’s staring out the window with a worried expression on her face. When I walk in, she straightens up and takes a deep breath.
“What’s up?” I ask, adjusting my shirt. “What’s going on?”
“We got a call from the governor this morning. He…” she sighs. “He wants you to go on a leave of absence.”
“A leave of absence?”
Her face twists, and she nods.
“For how long?”
Her eyebrows draw together. “He didn’t say. It sounded… indefinite.”
“Indefinite!” The only thing I can manage right now is repeating what she says to me. I slump down on the couch and put my head in my hands. “He said he’d support me through this.”
She sighs. “I don’t know what happened.”
“My parents did business with him for twenty years! He told me he had my back.”
Cheryl shakes her head. I swear under my breath and stand up again.
“What do you want me to do?” Cheryl folds her hands in front of her. She’s one of the only people who’s still loyal to me, and at this point I’m not sure she should be. She’ll be out of a job soon, by the looks of things.
I shake my head. “I’ll call him. Just… take the day off.”
“Adrian…” She takes a step towards me and her face softens. Her eyebrows arch and she looks at me for a second, and then purses her lips and nods. “Of course, Mr. Mayor. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I nod and wait until I hear the front door close. I thought I had time. I thought the investigation would proceed, and I’d be able to repair the relationships that have been damaged. I thought this could be salvaged.
If I take an indefinite leave of absence, I’m done. Ruined. Over. My career wil
l be dead before the trial even starts.
If I don’t take the leave of absence, I won’t have the governor’s support. I’m relying on him for some state funds for promises I’ve made—if he refuses to provide the money, not only will I be the corrupt mayor who sold the waterfront to the lowest bidder, but I’ll also be the mayor who couldn’t pay for the schools and highways he promised to take care of.
This was supposed to be my legacy. I guess it is my legacy, in a way. Just not the one I was hoping for.
There is one bright moment in the darkness, though. When I check my phone, there’s a message from Stella.
Stella: I need to talk to you. Can we meet tonight?
Adrian: Of course. Where?
Stella: I’ll send you the address.
My heart jumps and I take a deep breath. I may be out of a job soon, and the official ‘bad guy’ in this city, but at least one woman is still talking to me. She may hate my guts, but she’s talking to me.
I just hope her sister doesn’t talk about Police Chief White. I need her to keep quiet about that, or else I’ll be in more trouble than I already am.
11
Stella
I’m still staring at my phone when Adrian’s text comes through. He’ll meet with me tonight, but I still don’t know if it’s a good idea. I dial for my voicemail again and listen to Ashley’s message.
“Hi Stella. It’s me. I got your messages. Please stop calling me—I just need some space. I need to prepare for this deposition and talking to you is just too confusing right now. I… I’m sorry. I know you need to do your job, but…” Her voice breaks, and my heart breaks with it. I feel like the worst sister in the world.
“I met with a lawyer, and he said the best thing for me to do was to tell the truth about how I got fired—he doesn’t know about the other stuff with Randy, but… I don’t know, Stella. I gotta go.”
I listen to it again, and every time I do, my heart sinks lower. If Ashley tells the DA that she believes Adrian forced the police chief to resign, this whole thing is about to turn messy.
Ruined: An Enemies to Lovers Romance Page 5
