Suddenly the conference room door opened and Mr. Rivers’ secretary led two men into the room — Nelson Whitworth and Larry Matthews. Huge smiles were on their faces…until they saw Kennedy. They seemed as surprised to see her as she was to see them.
“Gentlemen, please come in and take a seat,” Mr. Rivers said. “I’m sure you know Haddison Wolf, head of security, as well as Ms. Kennedy Bennett. I believe she reports to both of you.”
Both men mumbled something that Kennedy couldn’t hear as they took their seats. It was only then that Mr. Rivers took his place at the head of the table. “I called this meeting because there seems to be a problem.”
The room got quiet. Finally, Nelson Whitworth asked, “And what problem is that, Mr. Rivers?”
Maceo opened the folder in front of him. “According to a report I recently received from Mr. Wolf, it seems we have an issue with discrimination. For the past year or so, the two of you have treated Ms. Bennett unfairly. And I want to know why.”
Haddison wasn’t sure who was more shocked by his uncle’s revelation — Whitworth, Matthews, or Kennedy. He didn’t have much time to decide because Whitworth decided to speak up again. “Lies. Nothing but lies. Haddison Wolf made that up because he and Ms. Bennett are sleeping together.”
Maceo Rivers frowned. “Since this company does not have a non-fraternization policy, what Mr. Wolf and Ms. Bennett do during their free time is no concern of mine. And it shouldn’t be any concern of yours.”
It was obvious by Whitworth’s expression that he was flustered. “But it is if she told him lies. And now he’s passing those lies on to you.”
Haddison noticed Matthews wasn’t saying anything. Unlike Whitworth, he was probably concerned about the information in the folder Maceo had opened. The file was pretty thick.
“Then let’s see what part of Mr. Wolf’s report is false,” Maceo said, flipping through several papers. “Is it true that Ms. Bennett received better performance ratings overall than Larry Matthews? If so, how was he promoted to his position instead of her?”
Haddison watched as Kennedy leaned forward in her chair, as if eager to hear what Whitworth would say. Both men, on the other hand, seemed to fidget in their seats. “There are other things, considerations that are not on paper that made Larry Matthews more qualified,” Whitworth finally said.
Maceo Rivers lifted a brow. “Such as? I hope the fact that his father is a college friend of yours isn’t one of them.”
The two men glared over at Haddison. Apparently, they’d just figured out what he’d actually been doing these past few weeks. Instead of keeping an eye on Kennedy, he’d been watching them. Haddison glanced over at Kennedy. He could tell from the way she was looking at him that she’d pretty much figured out the same thing.
“My relationship with Larry’s father had nothing to do with it,” Whitworth was saying.
“Then tell me what did. And while Whitworth is thinking about what to say, I have a question for you, Mr. Matthews,” Maceo said, without missing a beat.
“Yes, Mr. Rivers?” Larry Matthews asked, clearly nervous. A film of perspiration was dampening his forehead.
“Ms. Bennett made a decision to leave Rivers and go to work elsewhere. I want to know why, when other companies reached out to you questioning her job performance here, you stated she did unsatisfactory work for us? After all, she’s one of the best employees we have in marketing, isn’t she?”
Haddison could tell from Kennedy’s shocked expression that she’d had no idea Matthews had been sabotaging her ability to get another job. Before Matthews could give a response, Whitworth was expressing his outrage again.
“Mr. Wolf had no right to investigate anything we did,” he said angrily, pointing an accusing finger at Haddison. “That report is based on lies that she—” he then pointed a finger at Kennedy, “—probably told him during pillow talk. I can’t believe you’re taking his word over ours, Mr. Rivers. We’ve worked for you a lot longer than Wolf has. You know nothing about him or his motives. Obviously, he’s easily swayed by a pretty face and a—-”
“Enough!” Maceo said, bringing an end to Whitworth’s tirade. He stood and it was obvious that he was furious. “You and Matthews might have worked for me longer, but I’ve definitely known Haddison Wolf a hell of a lot longer than I’ve known either of you. And I have no reason whatsoever to question my nephew’s motives.”
“Nephew?”
“Nephew?”
“Nephew?”
Haddison noted the third outcry of surprise had come from Kennedy.
“Yes, my nephew,” Maceo said, then leveled his razor-sharp eyes on the two men. “And based on his very thorough report, the two of you are fired immediately. Don’t bother to clean out your desks. Haddison and his security team will escort you out of the building.”
“I believe it was a good thing Haddison invited you to attend this meeting after all, Ms. Bennett. At no time were you suspected of anything. In fact, from day one, when Haddison apprised me of what he suspected, he made it clear the investigation was on Whitworth and Matthews — not you.”
Kennedy drew in a deep breath, relieved to hear that. She and Mr. Rivers were alone in the conference room. Two men from Haddison’s security team had arrived and they, along with Haddison, were escorting Whitworth and Matthews from the building. “Why didn’t you and Haddison want anyone to know you’re related?” she finally asked.
“We would have made it known eventually, but we decided not to mention it right away. I’m glad we did. Otherwise, Whitworth and Matthews would not have felt comfortable asking for his help. But Haddison had suspected something about Matthews’s promotion wasn’t on the up-and-up even before they’d approached him.”
“Oh.”
“Now I have a proposition for you — one I hope you’ll seriously consider. I apologize for what they did to jeopardize your chances of employment elsewhere. I own this company and take full responsibility for what happened. My only excuse is that at the time, I was involved in an important business deal and relied on my management team to keep things running smoothly. Apparently, I was wrong in doing that.”
He paused a moment. “Just so you know — not that I want to give you any ideas, mind you — but if you decide to take legal action against Rivers Marketing and Technology, both Haddison and I would support you.”
Kennedy blinked. “You would?”
“Yes.”
Kennedy took a moment to think about that, then asked, “And what is your proposition?”
“I meant what I said in that meeting. You’re one of the best employees we have in marketing. I’d like to offer you Whitworth’s job. You’ve earned it.”
She blinked in surprise. “You want me as junior executive of marketing?”
“Yes. I believe you’re the most qualified person we have, and Rivers can’t afford to lose such a dynamic employee. I know Friday is your last day and would appreciate it if—”
“I’ll take the job with one stipulation, Mr. Rivers.”
He lifted a brow. “And that is…?”
“That you reconsider your ‘college-only’ policy for management employees. You have incredible people working for you who might not have a degree, but they bring to the table years of experience and loyalty to the company.”
He nodded. “I agree and accept your stipulation. I look forward to working with you as my junior executive.”
Kennedy couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you for the vote of confidence.”
“And thank you for accepting my proposition, Ms. Bennett.”
There was a knock on the door. “Come in.”
Haddison entered. “That matter has been taken care of.”
Maceo stood, smiling. “Good.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m leaving for the day. Tonight is date night with your aunt, and we’re getting an early start.” He then turned to Kennedy. “Can we meet tomorrow morning around ten to discuss things further?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Great. I’ll have my secretary add it to my calendar.” He then pointedly looked at Haddison, then back at Kennedy. “I’ll leave the two of you to talk. I’m sure there’s a lot to be discussed.” Then he walked out of the conference room, closing the door behind him.
Haddison turned to Kennedy. “You’re meeting with my uncle in the morning?”
“Yes.” Not sure if he knew about Mr. Rivers’s proposition, she said, “He offered me Whitworth’s job.”
She could see the surprise in his eyes. “He did?”
“Yes.”
“Did you accept?”
“Yes, but with stipulations.”
“Which were?” he asked, coming to stand before her.
She told him and he nodded. “Congratulations. You deserve the promotion. I know you’ll do a good job.”
“Thanks.”
As they turned to leave, Haddison said, “Let’s go back to my office. We can talk there.”
“Alright.”
They walked to the elevators. When one arrived, Kennedy was relieved to find it crowded — that meant she had more time to get her thoughts together. Because right now, she didn’t know what to say to him. Didn’t know how to apologize for questioning his character. That investigative report clearly showed he’d been in her corner all along. He’d even uncovered things she hadn’t known about.
Stepping off the elevator and walking to his office, she realized how in sync their steps were, the same way their movements in bed together always were. Why she was thinking of that now, she wasn’t sure, but it was hard to look at Haddison and not recall some of the things they’d done together. Things that should make her blush, but instead filled her with heated lust.
“Cancel my meetings for the rest of the day, Millie,” he said to his personal assistant before opening the door to his office.
Once he closed the door behind them, he turned to her. “There was a reason no one knew Maceo Rivers and I were related.”
She nodded. “I know. He told me, and I understand why you decided not to say anything. Now knowing what Whitworth and Matthews were up to, I’m glad no one knew. Especially those two.”
She paused a moment, studying the carpeted floor before looking back up at him. “I want to apologize for doubting you, Haddison. For questioning your honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity. And I appreciate you believing in me, even when you didn’t know me. After, all, we’d basically just bumped into each other. Yet you doubted what Whitworth and Matthews told you about me. You didn’t believe I would betray this company and take Rivers’s clients when I left.”
She watched as he shoved his hands into his pockets, and instead of saying anything, he walked over to the huge window in his office that overlooked downtown St. Paul. Something was bothering him. She’d been around him long enough to know.
She walked over to him. Was he upset with her for doubting him? He had every right to be. But she had apologized. What else could she do? “Haddison? Are you angry with me for—”
“No,” he said quickly, turning around to face her. “I’m not angry with you. It’s just that I know how much honesty means to you, and something you just said hit a nerve.”
She frowned, not understanding. “What kind of nerve?”
He took a deep breath. “There is something else I haven’t been totally honest with you about, Kennedy.”
She felt a muscle tighten in her midsection. “What is it, Haddison? Are you married? Have a child? Have a—”
“No,” he interrupted her. “None of those things.”
“What, then?”
He studied her face for a moment, then took another deep breath. “When we bumped into each other in the hall a month ago, that wasn’t our first meeting. We actually met for the first time seven months ago.”
HADDISON COULD TELL KENNEDY had no idea what he was talking about. He’d made a decision to tell her everything because his uncle had been right — keeping secrets was the fastest way to ruin a relationship. With love came trust, and deep down, he knew he loved her.
“Come, let’s sit down and talk,” he said, taking her hand and leading her over to the loveseat in his office. Once seated he faced her, watching as she obviously tried to figure out when their paths might have crossed.
Taking her hand, he said, “Remember me telling you that I was an FBI agent.”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“What I didn’t include was the fact that I worked undercover, playing a hardened criminal myself in order to bring down organized crime — gangs, mobs, and cartels.”
He could see she hadn’t made the connection yet, so he decided to bring it home for her. “Seven months ago, I was working undercover to expose a gang of bank robbers who were associated with the mob.”
She blinked, and then her eyes widened. He saw her swallow the lump in her throat before asking, “Bank robbers?”
“Yes.”
She continued to stare at him for a minute. Then she pulled one of her hands from his and reached up and touched the area next to his eyes, slowly caressing his lips before fingering his beard. He didn’t have to ask what she was feeling for, and knew the moment she found it. His scar.
And then he saw something in her eyes he hadn’t expected — tears. Before he could explain, she said, “You were in the back seat with me. They told me you had been killed. That you hadn’t survived the accident.”
He nodded. “Yes, that was the Bureau’s plan. That job was my last assignment, and I’d made a lot of enemies. Had I survived and it became known I’d worked undercover, I would have spent the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. Staging Addison Bracey’s death was the best way to move on with my life. To all who knew him, he is officially a dead man.”
Kennedy swiped at her eyes as she walked over to the window and looked out, trying to absorb what Haddison had just told her. He had been the third bank robber. The one who’d made her feel safe.
She had never felt the ruthlessness or cruelty from him that she’d felt from the other two. Especially that Vince guy. Haddison had been mean to her to keep his cover, but she’d still felt protected in some way.
And while still believing he was one of them, a bank robber with no morals, she had kissed him. And he had kissed her back. And during that kiss she’d felt things she hadn’t felt before or again since…until Haddison.
“Kennedy?”
He was standing directly behind her. She could feel his heat. And hers. And as usual, they were mingling, even without body contact. Haddison could do that with no effort — stir heat between them. He’d done it that day seven months ago, and was doing it again now.
She slowly turned to him, as if seeing him for the first time, in a whole new light. Not as the man she’d recently fallen in love with, but as the man she had fallen in love with months ago. She hadn’t understood it then, but thanks to his admission, she understood it now.
“Although I only saw your face for a quick moment, I remembered your eyes and how they looked at me through your ski mask. When I bumped into you, I could have sworn I saw those same eyes. But I convinced myself I’d imagined it. The same thing happened the night we made love for the first time. You stared down at me, and I saw Bracey. It made me feel bad. Here I was, about to make love to you, while thinking of another man. It happened again and again, and each time I told myself I was imagining things. But I really wasn’t, was I?”
“No, Kennedy, you weren’t.”
“What about your voice? It isn’t the same. I could clearly recall the sound of his voice.”
He nodded. “That was one of the things that made me such a good agent. I can change my voice. When I worked undercover, I took on a totally different persona, one with a different voice.”
He drew in a deep breath. “The reason I’m telling you this now — when it could mean my death if the details of my involvement with the mob is ever revealed — is because I trust you and want you to know the truth.”
His words s
uddenly gave her pause. He was basically putting his life in her hands, risking it on the trust he undoubtedly had for her…even after she’d questioned hers for him. That meant a lot to her, and deep down, she knew it meant something monumental to him.
“Does your uncle know we’ve met before?”
“Yes. He’s the only one I’ve told, and I only informed him of it today.”
He took a step forward, and now he was there, in her face. It was as if whatever he intended to say, he needed her to hear him without any difficulty. “I believe when I met you that day, regardless of the circumstances, that I began feeling things for you. And things have only grown stronger over the past seven months.”
She nodded. “As crazy as it sounds, I can believe that, because I feel the same way. I thought you were a bad-ass, corrupt and ruthless, but not as much as those other two. There was something about you that made me feel safe. For heaven’s sake, I kissed you.”
“You don’t know how many nights afterwards that I laid awake remembering that kiss and wishing it could have lasted longer.”
She’d felt the same way. She’d thought of him and that kiss a lot, too. “The first time we kissed as Haddison and Kennedy, it reminded me of that kiss, and I thought I was going crazy,” she said. “I felt bad for connecting the two when I assumed you were a different man. Now I understand why I did.”
He looked at her intently. “And now that you know the truth — all of it — where do we go from here, Kennedy?”
She decided to let him answer his own question. “Where do you want to go from here, Haddison?”
He took a step closer, so close their bodies were now touching. “I want forever with you, Kennedy.”
“Forever?”
“Yes. And for me that means marriage. I’ve fallen in love with you. I want you wearing my name, having my babies, being my forever woman.”
Kennedy felt a deep lump in her throat. No man had ever said that to her. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you, too, and I want to have your name, your babies, and be your forever woman, but…”
THE BENNETTS' WEDDING (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family Book 5) Page 13
