Racing Hearts: Bennett Boys Ranch

by Landish, Lauren

  Still, I made sure to keep the competition in sight, literally.

  My office faces the Blackwell Building, a one-mile gap separating the two tallest buildings in the city. It helps me keep things in perspective. I came to town because I saw potential, even if Blackwell had already created something big here.

  But this place is too fertile for him to fully take advantage of. A rose that, if tended right, can provide more blossoms than any one man could utilize.

  I watch the morning sun hit the black tower. I’ll give Blackwell grudging respect. His design might be morbid, but it’s also cutting-edge. All that black is absorbing the solar energy and using it for electricity and heating. The man was environmental before environmental was actually cool.

  Too bad you’ll never be that. You’re just a wannabe, another young upstart who’ll never stand the test of time.

  I growl, pushing away the voice from inside me, even though I know it’ll be back. It never really goes away, not for long. No matter how much I achieve, that voice of insecurity still resides in my center, ready to cast doubt and shadows on each success.

  The soft ding from my computer reminds me that my ten minutes of morning meditation are over, and I turn back around, looking at my desk and office. It’s nothing lavish. I designed this space for maximum efficiency and productivity.

  So my Herman Miller chair is not in my office for lapped luxury, or for its black and chrome styling, but for the fact that it’s rated the best chair for productivity. Same with my desk, my computer, everything.

  Everything is tuned toward efficient use of my time and my efforts.

  I launch into it, going through my morning assignments, answering the emails that my secretary, Kerry, cannot answer for me, and making a flurry of decisions on projects that Goldstone is working on.

  Finally, just as the clock on my third screen beeps one o’clock, I send off my final message and stand up. Locking my computer, I transfer everything to my server upstairs in case I need it.

  I see Kerry sitting at her desk as I leave my office. She’s well-dressed as usual, her sunkissed skin and black hair gleaming mellowly under the office lighting, the perfect epitome of a professional executive assistant. While she works for me, she has this older sibling protective instinct. It’s not often that I need it, but I appreciate her looking out for me.

  “Need something, Mr. Goldstone?” she asks.

  “Just headed upstairs,” I tell her.

  “Of course,” she replies, her eyes cutting to her computer screen. “Just a reminder, sir, the governor will be hosting his charity event tonight at seven. I’ve already had your tuxedo dry-cleaned, and your car detailer called. Your car will be ready and downstairs by three this afternoon.”

  I give her a nod. Three’s plenty of time. “I just sent you a list of other projects to work on, by the way.”

  “Of course, Mr. Goldstone. I was looking that over, and I got an email from Hank also, the team leader you assigned the Taiwan shipping contract to. He said that he’s going to have to take a day off Friday, sir. His daughter’s going to college this year, and he promised her that he’d drive her up so she can get settled into the dorm.”

  I stop, pursing my lips. “What is her name?”

  Kerry taps her desk for a moment, searching her memory. “Erica, sir.”

  “Tell Hank that I understand and wish Erica the best, but if he isn’t at work on Friday, don’t bother coming in on Monday.”

  My tone has grown serious, and Kerry’s eyes tighten, but she knows Hank is crossing a line. He should’ve given notice, especially when he’s working a contract this important.

  He’s usually a good employee. But he knew his daughter was starting classes. No excuse for that.

  No excuse for you, you mean. Failure just drips down from the boss’s office down to Hank, that’s all.

  Leaving the twenty-fifth floor of the Goldstone building, I take the stairs up a level to stretch my legs. Not many people even know about this floor other than the executives. To everyone else, the Goldstone Building has twenty-five floors.

  The twenty-sixth is mine. It’s my penthouse, and while it isn’t quite as large as the other floors, it’s still six thousand square feet of space that’s just for me.

  I strip off my dress shirt, tie, and slacks, depositing everything in the laundry chute before pulling on my workout clothes.

  Today’s upper body day, and as I go into my home gym, I swing my arms to loosen up my shoulders. They’re going to be punished today. Starting with bench presses, I assault my body, pushing myself to press the bar one more time, to get the fucking dumbbells up despite the pain, despite gravity kicking my ass.

  Just like everything kicks your ass.

  The finisher for today is brutal, even for me. The 300 . . . 100 burpees, 100 dips, and 100 pullups, in sets of ten, nonstop. By the time I’m finished, sweat pools on the rubberized gym flooring beneath me.

  I have to force myself to my feet because I refuse to be broken by anything, even something as meaningless as a workout that’s supposed to do exactly that.

  Instead, I jump in for a quick shower and meditate for twenty minutes after. I need to focus because running Goldstone is a mental exercise.

  Closing my eyes, I force myself to push all the responsibilities away, to let it all fade into the background.

  I push away the flashbacks, the voice in my head, the memories that threaten from time to time, and imagine my perfect world . . . my empire. My perfect Roseboro, deep red petals soft as velvet and eternally blooming, ready to be passed from my generation to the next for tending and care.

  I know I can do it.

  I must do it.

  Changing into my tuxedo, I head downstairs to the freshly cleaned limo waiting to take me to this event. The Roseboro Civic Library is one of the newest public buildings in town, a beautiful hundred-thousand-square-foot building in three wings over two floors. The central wing is named for Horatio Roseboro, who founded the city in memory of his daughter, who died on the Oregon Trail, while the other two wings are named for the main benefactors . . . Goldstone and Blackwell. My only request was that the Goldstone wing contain the children’s section, and they were more than willing to do that.

  Tonight, though, it’s the scene for a fundraiser for the governor’s favorite charity. Governor Gary Langlee tends to ignore Roseboro most of the time—we’re not his voter base—but when it comes time to get money, he’ll go just about anywhere he can if someone will cross his palm with a little bit of green.

  I arrive at just the right time, ten minutes before seven, in order to get the best of the press. I tolerate the leeches more than like them, but I do understand that the fourth estate has a purpose and a job to do.

  And there are legit journalists who I respect. It’s just the paparazzi and empty talking heads that I despise.

  So I smile for the cameras, giving a little wave and shaking hands with our local state representative before heading into the foyer, where the party has already started.

  “Ah, Thomas!” the mayor says, greeting me in that hearty way that really endears him to the locals. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

  “You know me, never pass up a chance to press the flesh,” I reply, making him laugh. He knows I’m lying but thinks that I’m only here because of the press and good PR that Goldstone will get for tonight.

  The reality is far different. While Governor Langlee and I might not see eye to eye on most public policies, I actually agree with the goals of tonight’s event.

  “I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself,” the mayor says after a moment when I don’t follow up.

  Clearing his throat, he looks around. “If you don’t mind telling me, Thomas, there’s a rumor around town that Goldstone is looking into building a sea transportation hub in Roseboro. I’m not saying I wouldn’t appreciate it, but if you are, I happen to know a man who’s got about seven hundred and fifty acres just outside of town. It’s county land, but I’
m sure we could work something out.”

  That’s the mayor . . . a good ol’ boy to the voters, a sneaky dealmaker to those with money. The man would sell his grandmother’s grave if it’d make him a buck.

  Oh, like you’ve been such a good son.

  “If we do move on such a project, I’ll be sure to keep City Hall informed,” I tell him with a smile that turns just a little predatory at the end. “But of course, I would do my due diligence on the property. No use wasting my money when it could be spent on a proper seaport instead of along the Columbia?”

  The mayor blanches just a little, which is what I want. A tiny reminder that while he may hold office, I hold the funds that make this city thrive or fail. Or at least a large share of the finances that do so.

  Leaving him, I do my best to ‘mingle’. I know the faces. I’ve seen it all before.

  A pat on the back here for a friend.

  A backhanded compliment for the enemy whom you can’t quite man up and call out in public. The icy stare from across the room at those whose families have somehow found the time to engage in feuds despite not having the time to make a difference in the world.

  It’s all old hat, and while some might find it interesting, I just tolerate it to get my goal here tonight done.

  Finally, at nine o’clock, I can’t do it any longer. I retreat to the children’s section, which is relatively quiet in comparison, and I look over the newest books on the display.

  “You know, I’m not too sure if Long Way Down really belongs in the children’s section,” a throaty voice says behind me, and I turn to see Meghan Langlee, Governor Langlee’s daughter.

  She’s wearing a Chanel cocktail dress that fits her like a glove, highlighting a very fit body and a camera grabbing face. A former beauty queen like her mother, Meghan’s parlayed her looks into a budding career as a political pundit.

  “Actually, I personally insisted on it,” I reply, turning away from her and looking at the books again. “While the subject matter might be a little dark and violent, the days of young people growing up needing little more than The Andy Griffith Show and reading Judy Blume are pretty much over.”

  “Hmm, well, I’ll say my father would disapprove, but I understand what you mean,” she says, stepping closer. “You know, Mr. Goldstone . . . mind if I call you Tom?”

  “If you wish,” I reply, sizing her up immediately. She must be up to something, she’s coming on too hard, too boldly.

  It wouldn’t surprise me if she’s been sent here on a mission. Her father’s a weasel and would see no issue with using his only daughter this way.

  She takes my arm, as if she expects me to suddenly escort her and be happy to do so, giving me a false coquettish giggle. “Ooh. I’ve heard your reputation Tom, that you’re pretty rigid in your fitness routines, but wow, this tux is hiding a beast underneath all this worsted wool.”

  “Clean eating and good habits,” I reply, already tiring of her and her lazily flirtatious innuendos. She tries to lead me back to the main wing, and I follow along simply to avoid any issues, but when she sees one of the press and starts trying to angle us in that direction, I pull my arm free. “Excuse me, Miss Langlee.”

  She looks surprised, anger hiding in her eyes. I doubt she’s used to being denied. She reaches out and grabs my arm again, pulling herself close.

  “Come on now, Tom. I’m sure we can find a little bit of fun.”

  I can’t tolerate this any longer, and I pull away, my voice tight. “Sorry. I haven’t had my rabies booster this year.”

  I walk away, cursing myself at that last crack. Turning her down cold? That’s one thing.

  But essentially calling her a disease-infested slut was probably too much.

  “One of these days, you’re going to piss off someone important,” she says threateningly to my back. When I don’t reply, she stomps her foot like a petulant toddler, loud enough to cut through the hubbub of the party as she calls out, “Bastard!”

  Everything stops, and I nod, glancing back over my shoulder at her with a charming smile. “That’s one of the things they call me.”

  I keep going, and as I pass by the governor, he gives me a dirty look. Reaching out, he puts a hand on my arm.

  “You know, my daughter—” he starts, already conciliatory, which makes me think he knew exactly what Meghan’s game was tonight.

  I don’t let him finish. I just shrug him off, ignoring the snapping cameras. I only pause at the door to reach into my jacket and pull out an envelope that I slide into the donation box.

  It’s unmarked . . . but that’s just what I want.

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  About the Author

  Bennett Boys Ranch:

  Buck Wild || Riding Hard || Racing Hearts

  Dirty Fairy Tales:

  Beauty and the Billionaire || Not So Prince Charming || Happily Never After

  Get Dirty:

  Dirty Talk || Dirty Laundry || Dirty Deeds || Dirty Secrets

  Irresistible Bachelors:

  Anaconda || Mr. Fiance || Heartstopper

  Stud Muffin || Mr. Fixit || Matchmaker

  Motorhead || Baby Daddy || Untamed

  Connect with Lauren Landish

  www.laurenlandish.com

  admin@laurenlandish.com

  www.facebook.com/lauren.landish