“And that’s a problem?”
“Quite the opposite. I’m happy to see you this serious over a woman. Shows me you’ve put your playboy ways aside.”
Julian laughed wryly. “I never said anything about that.”
“But you’ve thought about it?”
How could Roman tell? Was he wearing his heart on his sleeve?
“What’s on your mind?” Roman asked. “Because a look of abject terror just crossed your face.”
“I don’t know. You might be right,” Julian said. He refused to say more because he would have to come to terms with his feelings for Elyse in his own time and in his own way.
There was a knock at the conference room door and Julian didn’t wait for Roman to answer. Instead, he went and opened it himself. His heart thudded in his chest at seeing Elyse on the other side. She looked beautiful and sophisticated in an orange sheath with a matching moto jacket. If he had his preference, he would sweep her into his arms and give her a real kiss. Instead, he said, “Good to see you.”
She smiled and nodded as Roman came forward. “Elyse, so glad of you to come in so quickly.”
“Of course.” She stepped into the room, her portfolio under her arm.
Julian glanced at Elyse and then at Roman. “Well, I guess I’ll leave the two of you alone so you can get right to it.” He gave her a thumbs-up signal and sent a warning glance at Roman to not to be too hard on his lady, and then closed the door.
Julian wished he could be in the room, but there was no way Roman would allow it. The Atlanta Cougars marketing team had staked its new branding campaign on Curtis and his spotless image. Roman wasn’t going to let anything jeopardize that, certainly not Julian’s relationship with Elyse.
Julian would have to wait, like every other significant other, about news of her interview. But if anyone could knock ’em dead, he was certain it was Elyse.
* * *
“Please sit down.” Roman motioned to the seat across the table from where he’d put his legal pad. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
Elyse shook her head. She hadn’t had many dealings with Roman other than that first family meeting and a subsequent dinner at his and Shantel’s. She’d been delighted to spend more time with Shantel, Julian’s oldest friend. She hadn’t felt jealous in the slightest even after Julian revealed he’d once thought of Shantel as his backup plan once he gave up his playboy ways. She and Shantel were nothing alike and Julian needed someone with more fire than the beautiful, poised psychologist.
“So, Elyse, tell me something about yourself. Something other than what’s on this résumé,” Roman began.
Elyse did the best she could without revealing too much about her background that might give her away. Roman was a couple of years older than Julian and might remember her father. “I grew up here in Atlanta. My mother died from cancer when I was young, so I grew up having to look after myself and my father. I suppose that’s what drove me to succeed, to make something of myself, so my mother could be proud.”
“I hear you,” Roman stated. “And you’ve been with King Public Relations for a few years?”
“Yes, it’s been a great stomping ground for me to get my feet wet in the PR business.”
“How did you end up with Mike Ford as a client?”
“A fluke, I’m sure you’re thinking,” Elyse said. “And you would be right. Typically, he would have been handled by a more senior publicist, but they were out with the flu during the crisis. I stepped in and helped change the tide of public opinion.”
“Impressive,” Roma stated. “And I’m sure you’ve heard of the predicament Curtis Jackson finds himself in?”
“I do.”
“Tell me how you might handle it.”
Over the course of the next thirty minutes, Elyse outlined her plan to help counteract the negative press coming at the wide receiver. When she was done, she closed her portfolio containing her notes and waited.
“I see why my brother thinks so highly of you,” Roman said. “Not only are we protective of Curtis, but the press is being particularly vicious, so I warn you, it could be quite an undertaking if you’re given the opportunity.”
“I know I may not have as many clients as people at some of the larger firms, but I promise you, I will give it everything I have and you will see results.”
“Then you’re hired.”
“Pardon?” Elyse thought she might get more opposition from the hard-nosed General Manager.
“I go with my gut, Elyse,” Roman said. “And I’ve met with other firms, but you were the first person to think about Curtis and how all this might affect him. That’s the kind of person who will fit in around here.”
“Excellent.” Elyse smiled warmly. “I’m ready to start. Where’s the big guy?”
“In my office.”
“Let’s go.”
Elyse found herself being led through the inner sanctum of the Atlanta Cougars’ headquarters as she headed to Roman’s office. She’d always wondered what her life might have been like if her father hadn’t lost his share to Josiah. Would her life have been like this? Surrounded by high ceilings, beautiful moldings, state-of-the-art light installations, sumptuous carpets and luxuriously appointed furniture.
Roman stopped in front of his office and opened the door. Curtis stood, as did the older man at his side, who immediately rushed forward.
“Lockett.” The man’s eyes narrowed. “Where is the publicist you promised us? This story has been out for hours and I don’t trust any of the bozos you’ve brought in thus far.”
“Tim, meet Elyse Harper. She’s the fixer.”
“Elyse, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” Tim said, a slight smile across his tight expression. “I was hoping you would be included on the list of candidates.”
“Don’t you worry. I’ve got this all under control,” Elyse responded.
She would either win public opinion in his son’s favor or sink Curtis’s future at great risk to her own. How far was she willing to go to exact revenge on Josiah Lockett?
Fifteen
Elyse was exhausted when she arrived at her apartment later that evening. She’d told Curtis and his father, Tim, that the best thing they had going for them was the truth. Curtis had stopped the situation in the hotel suite from getting further out of hand. Now they had to tailor his image and PR to support the narrative. She’d given them a strategy to help save his career.
With her contacts, Elyse could ensure Curtis got in front of this story. She had him scheduled to appear on one of the national morning shows the following day, to tell his side of the story, and the day after that he would been seen on the biggest sports program in the nation. She’d also lined up several representatives of his charitable organizations to talk about the programs he’d been helping to roll out in the community. It would be a marathon, not a sprint, to reverse the tide of public opinion, but they would take it one day at a time.
When she’d gone over the elements with Pierre later that evening, he’d thought she was spot-on, but little did he know she had thought of another angle. A more devious one that would send the franchise built around Curtis Jackson to its knees. She could represent the exotic dancer and have her sell her story to the major network and newspapers. The slightest intimation from the dancer that Curtis wasn’t as squeaky-clean as he appeared, or that the Atlanta Cougars made a habit of throwing these types of parties, would cripple the football franchise.
And if she came forward with her father’s story of how Josiah Lockett had swindled him out of his shares, it would be yet another nail in their coffin. Surely, having public outrage against Josiah along with a barrage of bad press might convince the patriarch to do the right thing? Of course, if Elyse went this route, it would surely tank her career because Pierre would fire her. Was this really the direction she wanted to take? Especially afte
r toiling so hard in the trenches all these years.
Elyse tossed her notepad on the table along with a file she’d kept on the Locketts and Atlanta Cougars. The research she’d done over the years put her in a position to know their strengths and weaknesses. It was a huge risk, but it could be worth if it helped give her father back everything he’d lost.
On the other hand, if she went down this path, Elyse would lose Julian. He would learn of her connection to Frank Robinson and that she’d targeted the middle son from the start as a way to get closer to the Locketts. He would hate her for trying to bring down his family and hurting those he loved. He would never forgive her.
Elyse was grappling with what to do. Help the only family she had left or be true to the man she loved? She was in a lose-lose situation and she didn’t see a way out. But she’d brought this all upon herself by trying to right the wrong done to her father all those years ago. If she’d just left well enough alone, she wouldn’t be in the predicament she was in now. Then again, she would never have met Julian and known the happiness she’d found in his arms over the last month.
If she had to do it all over again, would she? The answer was an unflappable yes.
* * *
Julian didn’t know why his father had asked him to come to his office. They rarely spent time together other than the family dinners and game days, so he’d been surprised to receive a request to visit him.
If he had his wish, he would be heading over to Elyse’s and finding bliss in her arms. But he knew she’d had a long day with Roman, Tim and Curtis about the plan of action to salvage the wide receiver’s reputation, so he was trying to be patient, but it was hard.
Elyse Harper had come to mean more to him than any woman ever had. Being with her felt right. He was tired of the endless stream of women. She’d destroyed the invisible barrier he’d had around his heart and showed him it was possible to love someone other than his family. His heart wasn’t made of stone, even though, at times, growing up in the Lockett household he’d felt he couldn’t show emotion because Josiah saw it as weakness.
The door to his father’s office was open, so Julian didn’t bother knocking. He just walked right in.
“Close the door, son.” His father’s face was a mask of stone.
Julian steeled himself to his father’s tone and walked toward him. “What’s going on?”
“Remember when I told you something about your girl was familiar?”
“Yes.” Dread filled Julian. Suspecting he wasn’t going to like hearing what Josiah had to say next, he decided to sit.
“Well, I was right. She’s not who she says she is. I had Nico look into it.” His father leaned forward, his large elbows on the glass desktop.
“Oh yeah? Is she a spy or something?” Julian joked.
“You could say that.” Josiah looked him square in the eye. “She’s Frank Robinson’s daughter.”
Julian’s forehead creased into a frown. “Am I supposed to know who that is?”
His father snorted. “No, I don’t suppose you would. You were pretty young when I had dealings with Frank.”
“What does all this have to do with me and Elyse?”
“She’s here for vengeance.”
“Why? What on earth for?” Julian asked. “What did you do to her father?”
“Why do you assume I did something?” his father growled.
“Because I know you,” Julian responded, jumping to his feet. “You’re a bully. And you take what you want from those who can’t stand up to you.”
“Is that truly what you think of me?”
“Tell me I’m wrong,” Julian responded. “Tell me what happened between you and this Frank Robinson.”
“Fine, but it’s nothing sordid. It was all aboveboard.”
“What was?”
“Frank sold his shares of the Atlanta Cougars to me, twenty-five years ago.”
“Why is this the first I’m hearing about it?” Julian inquired. He couldn’t recall his father ever mentioning the name. Or that he’d had a partner years ago.
“Because—” Josiah looked away “—Frank and I were once friends. The closest of friends, actually. We were savvy investment bankers who’d made a killing on the market and we wanted to get into the football business. You see, at the time, there weren’t any African American football owners in the league. The Atlanta Cougars’ franchise was on the market for a steal and we struck while the iron was hot.”
“And?”
“The franchise was in shambles. It required a lot of capital in the early days to keep afloat. For me, investment banking has always been akin to gambling, but I knew when to call it quits. Frank, however, did not. And then his wife, Nadine, had been diagnosed with cancer and the cost of the treatments was killing him.”
“And you took advantage of him?” Julian finished. Why am I not surprised? He knew his father didn’t have many scruples, but to take advantage of a friend during a time of need was low even for Josiah.
Josiah shook his head. “No. It wasn’t like that. Frank had developed a bad gambling habit. I think he thought he could make some extra cash to help out with the medical bills. And he just got in deeper and deeper. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t listen, and I couldn’t let him put the Cougars at risk. Who knows if his shares would have ended up with some loan shark? I protected the company and I won’t apologize for it.”
“I see. I’ve heard enough.” Julian turned to leave, but his father stopped him with his words.
“Have you? Because I promise you, there’s a reason his daughter is here. Why she sought you out. Why she’s so eager to work for the Atlanta Cougars. She wants revenge for her father.”
“Or maybe she wants to take back what you stole from him.”
“I didn’t steal it!”
“Does it really matter?” Julian asked. “Why couldn’t you have just left well enough alone? Because you couldn’t, could you? You interfered, just like you did in Roman and Shantel’s relationship. Why can’t you just let me be happy? You claim to love us, but I’m beginning to wonder.”
“That’s not fair. I do love you, Julian, that’s why I’m trying to save you from a woman who’s using you.”
“Because I’m the weakest Lockett heir, right?” Julian had always suspected that was how his father felt about him, but it was clear now.
“No, because you’re my son and I’m protecting you.”
“I’m a grown man and I can protect myself.” Julian stormed out of his office. He had to find Elyse. He needed to find out if everything his father had said was true. Was he just a means to an end for her? Had everything they’d shared up to this point been a lie so she could ruin his family? He had to know and he wouldn’t leave her apartment until she told him the truth.
* * *
Elyse was perusing her notes at home when her cell phone rang a little after 8:00 p.m. Dread filled her when she saw Matt’s name on the caller ID. When she picked up, the bartender told her Frank was once again at the bar, drowning his sorrows. She couldn’t help but wonder if she was the reason. If it was because he couldn’t take her association with the Locketts. Didn’t he understand that she was doing all of this for him?
She quickly dressed in some leggings and a sweater, grabbed her purse and rushed out the door.
Fifteen minutes later, she swung open the bar’s behemoth front door and, indeed, found her father slumped in the corner over the bar.
“How long has he been like this?” she asked Matt.
“Not long. He seemed especially agitated after someone brought up seeing you on Instagram with Julian Lockett at some movie premiere,” Matt replied with a frown. “Didn’t know you hung out with those high-society types. Thought you were one of us.” He turned away and began drying more glasses behind the counter.
She ignored his derisive comme
nt, rushed over to the edge of the bar, and placed her hand on her father’s back. “Daddy?”
He glanced up, but when he saw her, he looked away. “What do you want?”
“I’m here to take you home.”
“I’m surprised you have the time,” her father said, lifting his head to look at her with anger in his eyes.
“I always have time for you, Daddy. C’mon.” She helped him out of his seat and, this time, Matt didn’t come from behind the bar like he usually did to help her. He was jealous, so she struggled alone with her father all the way to her car.
He passed out on the short drive to his Old Fourth Ward apartment and she had to rouse him from his slumber. He stumbled in his steps into the apartment, where Elyse put him to bed, removing his shoes and covering him with a blanket.
Leaning against the bedroom door Elyse felt like a failure. She’d gone to great lengths to get close to the Locketts, but she just didn’t think she had the heart to betray Julian.
She couldn’t do it.
She’d fallen in love with Julian and her heart was full of him. There was no way she could do anything that would hurt his family. The knowledge should have put her at ease, but looking at her father tonight, she doubted it would bring him much comfort. She’d let him down like everyone else.
And she’d failed Julian, too. She would have to tell him the truth about why she’d switched places that first night at dinner. She had to come clean. And pray that one day he might forgive her.
* * *
Julian didn’t know what to believe as he drove to Elyse’s apartment because she wasn’t taking his calls. That the woman he cared for, possibly even loved, had set a sinister plan in motion? To do what? Bring down his family? His father?
No.
He shook his head. He wouldn’t believe that of Elyse. She was too kind, too caring, too giving. He wouldn’t, couldn’t, believe she would betray him like that. He had to go to her. Look her in the eye and ask her about her father. Would he know if she lied to him? Julian sure hoped so. They’d been together for a while nonstop.
Blind Date with the Spare Heir Page 14
