by Kayla Hensen
Instead, she’d figure out his game. And she’d stop him before he caused any real damage to Sinclair Enterprises or to the family who paid her bills.
Chapter Seven
He was feeling pretty good about his date, real or imagined, with Penny Reynolds. So good that when he returned home to the family mansion, Duncan forgot his parents would be there until his mom was crushing him with kisses. A petite woman with short black hair, she wore a turquoise skirt with a matching jacket. She was almost never without pearl earrings and a winning smile.
This was no different.
“It’s so wonderful to see you, Duncan!” Mom wiped the lipstick from his cheek.
“Let the boy step into the living room, sweetheart,” the voice of his father said. Duncan saw his old man. He stood next to the bar overlooking the bookcases and a view of the garden past the windows. Dad had a wide stance, his hands in his pockets, a narrow gaze and perfect salt and pepper hair.
“Hey Dad,” Duncan said as he entered the living room. “Nice trip?”
“Nice enough. We were hoping to have all of you here when we arrived. Seems something more important came up.”
“Logan Sinclair summoned me to his office.” Duncan dangled that nugget of information out like a piece of bait. Matthew and Jackson entered the room from the side, through the connected dining room. Both of them wore looks of curiosity.
“Have anything to do with how you treated Chris last night?” Dad demanded to know, holding his jaw firm. “Yeah, I heard about your stunt. Barely back in Hamilton Springs for more than twenty-four hours. You can’t just help poking the bees nest, can you?”
“I think that’s poke the bear, Dad. Still, no that’s not what we talked about. Logan was a typical Sinclair. Lying, spinning things his way. You know just as well as I do the Sinclairs will do anything to hold onto their piece of the pie.”
“They want the whole pie,” Jackson agreed.
Dad sighed and tossed a glance back at his other sons. Then he gently patted Duncan’s face. “My boy, you make mistakes. Big ones. But I certainly never doubt your love for your family. The love of being a Williamsworth. I know how much you want to protect us and our name.”
“Then why am I sensing a really big but coming my way?” Duncan asked.
“But…” Dad sighed. “The feud between the Sinclairs and the Williamsworths is over. It’s been over a long time, son. You need to let it go. Patch things up with Christopher.”
“I will. I mean, I have. Logan offered me a job at Sinclair Enterprises and I took it. He’s going to be my mentor.” Duncan took that opportunity to walk over to the mini bar and grab a bottle of ginger peach seltzer water. He let his statement hang in the air and saw the shock play out on his father’s face.
“Why would Logan do that?” Matthew asked. “Why would you accept? Duncan, he’s baiting you.”
“Not if I bait him first. Besides,” Duncan popped the top off his water, “not if I’m baiting him first.”
“Maybe now would be a good time for me to have the kitchen send in some pastry? Have you boys eaten? You all look so thin!” Mom clasped her hands together, gazing around at all their faces.
“Mom, food can’t solve every problem,” Jackson said.
“It sure can! Please bite your tongue when I’m in the room!”
Duncan chuckled. “Mom’s right, okay? Plus, we don’t have a problem. I have a job. A mentor. All the things you’ve always wanted for me, Pop.”
His dad shook his head. “Not like this. If Logan is offering you a job at his company right when he’s only returning, well, it means something Duncan. You can’t let him use you.”
“He’s not using me, Dad. Quite the contrary. Though, I’d like to know what he meant when he said our family ‘used’ to have money. Is there something you’re not telling us?”
His Mom and Dad exchanged a glance and Matthew coughed into his fist. So there was something to it? Duncan felt his face sag in surprise. What weren’t they telling them? It was clear Matthew knew more than he did. Sometimes Duncan really resented his older brother.
Dad gestured to the seating area. “It seems rumors spread just as fast as ever in Hamilton Springs.”
“That’s no surprise,” Duncan said as he took a seat. Jackson sat next to him and Matthew paced in the background. His parents sat across from them in some chairs.
“When my father left the company to join the senate, it was a vibrant, thriving thing. It struggled over the years from mismanagement. By the time I came into it, things were… not as profitable. Cash flow has been a problem. The company isn’t broke but it’s not thriving, either.” Dad looked worried, his face long. He rubbed his hands together.
“All right,” Duncan said slowly. “Recessions come and go. We’ll be all right, won’t we?”
His father looked to Matthew who sat up a little bit straighter. “The family’s made some bad deals and investments. Mostly it’s bad luck. We’ll bounce back. But we’re going to have to buckle down.”
“Tighten the purse strings,” his mom said and patted Duncan’s hand. “You can do that, can’t you?”
There was little Duncan couldn’t do for his family but he didn’t understand how something so serious could happen and he hadn’t known about it. “Why wasn’t I told before this? Jackson? We’re family, too.”
“Of course you are, son.” His father sighed. “I wanted to spare you. I didn’t think you needed to know but with the Sinclair situation… with what Logan’s offered you. I thought it was best if I sped up the time table. We were going to tell you this week anyway.”
Great. So he was an afterthought? Same as Duncan always was. If you weren’t Matthew, then you just didn’t matter. “I wish you had said something,” he said to his brother.
Matthew pointed to himself. “Me? It’s Dad’s job, not mine. I don’t make all the choices, contrary to how you feel.”
“We’re family,” Mom reminded them. “We are all in this together. Arguing about it doesn’t do any good.”
“What do we do?” Jackson asked, looking lost.
“We have a flash sale. Sell one of the jets. Pay off some outstanding debts. Tighten down the hatches. We’ll be all right. It’ll take awhile but we’ll straighten this ship out.” Dad loved his ship metaphors.
Duncan stood and paced with his hands in his pockets. “I can fix this,” he said. “The Sinclairs, the job, I can use it to prop us up.”
Dad stood to meet his gaze. “Son, we don’t need the Sinclairs or their money. You keep this close to your chest, understand? What Logan says he knows, he suspects. Let’s not let him smell blood in the water.”
“I thought the feud was long over.” Duncan narrowed his gaze.
“It’s dormant. Not dead. It takes very little to egg Logan on and I rather not test how reformed he is. Keep the job, do what you want, but confide in no one. Understand?”
“Yes, sir. On that note, I have a date with a beautiful woman.” Duncan move to take his leave of the room but his father vented his frustration with a sigh.
“A date? On the night we get back?”
Duncan shrugged. “I didn’t know it’d be our funeral but I promised a lady I’d escort her to dinner. It’s like Mom always says. Never leave a woman waiting.”
His mother sighed. “It’s true. I do say that.”
“Go on your date then,” his father called out to him. “We know who values this family and our company. You want it to be you? You need to step up to the plate, Duncan!”
Duncan skipped up the stairs toward the front door. His ears ringing the entire time.
Chapter Eight
The clock moved forward like it was trapped in sludge. Penny almost didn’t mind thanks to the dinner she had with her father and his company. She dreaded going but another part of her was… curious what would happen. Would Duncan reveal himself to be a villain? Or would he rise to the occasion.
Only time would tell. Except right now it moved forward
like sludge.
Penny wrapped up her work before she stepped into the bathroom. She groaned at her appearance: tired eyes, her hair had some fly away strands that wouldn’t stay down. What else was new? She didn’t care if Duncan or others saw her this way but her mother would snag onto it. Then the lectures of self-care would begin. Penny hated those lectures most of all.
She took the brush out of her purse along with some lip gloss. Puckering her lips to evenly spread it around, Penny thought the end result wasn’t so bad. She slung her purse back over her shoulder and walked with confidence through the main office.
“Going somewhere special?” Christopher asked as he crossed the room.
“Dinner with my parents.” Penny didn’t want to tell him about Duncan. Why make the situation worse?
“Well, it’s special enough. Have a nice night. I’ll tell my dad not to bug you every two minutes.”
Penny laughed. “I’d really appreciate that!” Oh boy, Penny thought. She sure would. Her phone buzzed with a text message and it was who she thought it was.
I’m parking my sports car outside. I can come in and meet you if you’d like an armed escort.
Penny quickly put a reply together. No sense in doing that. I’m at the door now. She used the revolving door and was greeted with an intense blast of heat and humidity from outside. Thanks to the air conditioning inside, she was surprised at how oppressive it was.
She scanned the parking lot and her eyes fell on a bright red sports car sitting in front with the top down. How subtle, Penny thought with mock humor. Couldn’t Duncan Williamsworth do anything that didn’t scream ‘look at me’ ?
As she crossed the parking lot, he popped the passenger side door open for her. “Thank you,” Penny said as she scooted her legs inside and shut her door.
He wore his mirrored sunglasses and gave her the once over. She couldn’t tell where exactly he was looking or what he thought. It made her nervous but he did flash her one of his winning dimple smiles. It should’ve been illegal for someone like him to be so handsome.
Penny sat up straight and refused to play his game. She didn’t smile or even try to meet his gaze. “It’s at the Sheraton Resort over past sixty-two.”
“All business, huh?” Duncan put the car into reverse.
“I just don’t want to be late, that’s all. This is about my parents, remember.”
“I remember.” Duncan grinned widely as he backed out of his parking spot. “But for this to work you’re going to need to pretend to like me.”
“I don’t dislike you,” Penny said and she wasn’t even sure if it was true or not. “We just got off on the wrong foot. It’s easily fixable.” Or would be if he wasn’t a raging dirtbag.
Duncan nodded. “Glad to hear I can improve my impression in your eyes.”
“Don’t make me sound like that. I’m not a saint. I just expect not to be lied to.” Penny sighed. “Listen, lets just start fresh, okay? Clean slate?”
“I like the sound of that. I realize I went too far. I’m sorry. Getting you in the middle of my drama wasn’t what I intended.”
An actual apology. Penny had to admit she didn’t expect to hear one like that. “Okay, well I accept your apology. Maybe we can just enjoy a nice dinner.”
“Sounds fun. But I wasn’t apologizing.”
Penny’s mouth fell open. “Excuse me?”
“I was setting the record straight. Clearing the air.”
All of which were an apology. She would’ve said so if Duncan didn’t look so bent out of shape about it. “All right,” Penny said slowly. “You’re still up for a good dinner, I hope.”
“Oh, absolutely.”
Penny considered the matter dropped and watched the road and palm trees whizz by. Duncan eventually took a left into a gated resort area. He headed toward the sprawling complex surrounded by palm trees and drove around to the side entrance beside the restaurant. He pulled up by the curb for valet parking. “I’ll get the lady’s door,” he said to the attendant and tossed the keys at him.
Penny popped her door open before Duncan got the chance. “Hey now,” he said with a hint of disappointment in his voice, “didn’t you hear what I said?”
“Of course I heard you. I just don’t need help opening my door.”
“All right,” Duncan mumbled and Penny thought he was legitimately thrown by what she had done. It had to be an act, didn’t it? Women couldn’t fall all over him just for such a little thing like that. At least, Penny hoped not.
He offered her his hand. “I thought maybe you’d want to make a good entrance at least.”
That much Penny could do. She took his hand and Duncan clasped his fingers around hers. They stepped inside the resort and took the elevator up to the top floor restaurant. The glass elevator opened up to a multi-window restaurant. Elegant and quiet, they walked together to the hostess’s podium where a well dressed and put together woman greeted them.
“Greetings! Oh, Mr. Williamsworth? Did you have a reservation tonight?”
Duncan took his glasses off and folded them before placing them in his breast pocket. “Not tonight, Janice. I’m here with Penny Reynolds. Her father’s company should be here with a group for dinner.”
“Lexicon,” Penny said and cleared her throat.
Duncan shot her a curious look. “Your father works for them? Impressive tech company. They’ve been on the rise in the market for several years.”
“That’s what my parents keep telling me. They think I should switch to tech but I like real estate companies. Hard to argue with the success of Sinclair Enterprises.”
“Sure is,” Duncan said and sounded bitter. Penny wondered what was going on with him behind the scenes.
The hostess looked up from her chart with a smile. “They’re in a small private room. This way please.”
Duncan offered Penny his elbow and Penny slipped her arm through. Here went nothing, she thought, with a deep breath. But somehow she relaxed knowing Duncan was there, even if she’d never tell him that. He might have been manipulative but he knew how to act and how to get people to respond to him.
Which was more than Penny could say for half the men she had tried to date. Hence the reason she was in no real rush to date anyone.
The softly lit dining room was filled with quiet conversation and the clinking of dishes. As Penny and Duncan entered the room, her parents looked up. Her dad had silver hair and her mother’s hair was black like Penny’s except for a few silver pieces that framed her face. “Sorry we’re a little late,” Penny said. “I just got out of work.”
“No problem. No problem at all!” Dad leaned forward and kissed his daughter’s cheek. “You look lovely as ever, honey.” His eyes paused on Duncan and then back at his daughter.
“Oh, let me introduce you.” Penny couldn’t believe she almost forgot! “This is Duncan Williamsworth.”
“Williamsworth?” Her mom whispered. Her eyes darted around so far inside her head, Penny thought her head might shoot off like a rocket.
“That’s what the birth certificate says.” Duncan flashed one of his wining smiles and shook hands with her parents. “Pleasure to meet you both. When Penny mentioned tonight’s dinner, well I couldn’t wait to come.”
Her parents looked even more shocked but they quickly covered with smiles and covers. “Nice to see meet you, son.” Dad slapped Duncan on the back. “Both of you, please come sit with us. I’ll introduce you to Ashton Grave, owner of Lexicon Corporations.”
“I’ve heard of him but never met him.” Duncan followed Penny’s dad over to the long table. He pulled Penny’s chair out and pushed her in once she sat. For a moment he placed a hand on Penny’s shoulder. She bristled but touched his hand and hoped no one noticed her moment of discomfort.
Duncan sat beside her and when a waitress came over, immediately placed his order like he knew what he’d order the whole time. He sipped his water and gazed at Penny. His eyes, intense as ever, but Penny focused her attentio
ns on ordering a drink and an entrée.
“So, Duncan. How’d you and Penny meet?” Mom asked, taking a sip of her iced lemon water.
“Funny story but it involved her work for Logan Sinclair. One thing led to another and here we are.” Duncan chuckled and a few others joined on in.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Williamsworth.” Mr. Grave said. “I certainly didn’t expect to meet you tonight. A pleasure and an honor. Your grandfather is a legend in this town.”
“It’s the same at home,” Duncan said and Penny detected a hint of bitterness in his voice. “A great man but he’s living out east still. Eventually, I hope he’ll return. The family patriarch is important to our family. Grandma, too. She’s a wonderful woman.”
Ashton nodded. “Yes, absolutely. I’d love to talk business with you sometime. I know our industries are different but the work ethic and innovation is the same, isn’t it?”
“Agreed on that front. I’m always open for conversation. Tonight though, my full attention will be on Penny. I’m here with her and she’s beautiful, don’t you think?” Duncan gazed at Penny and she felt herself blushing under his gaze. He said all the right things. Nice things. It was hard to remember they were here under false pretenses.
“How did this happen?” Penny’s mom leaned forward and whispered.
Penny shook her head. “Not now, Mom. He might hear you.”
Duncan leaned forward. “I already did but it’s okay. I’m having fun.” His mouth was close to her nose. Penny was afraid to turn and thought she might turn accidentally into his lips which might be exactly what he wanted.
To kiss or throw her off balance. Maybe he didn’t even care which it was.
Mom laughed at their exchange and bit her lip. She looked like an over excited school girl. If Ashton Grave wasn’t within ear shot distance, Penny would’ve told her mother to reign it in. But since Penny needed to pretend to at least be enjoying her date, she didn’t do anything.
