Love Me Now

by Celeste O. Norfleet

  “James Whitaker,” Joshua began reading, “previous owner of Whitaker Real Estate Investment Company. It’s a small real estate investment firm and brokerage service. Basically it’s a small operation, one location, high-grade computer setup, but nothing major. They primarily invested in real estate in depressed and undervalued areas. He invested heavily and when the market collapsed he lost everything.”

  Trey nodded and smiled. “He was clever, I’ll give him that. I still can’t believe he had the nerve to make a move like that. He didn’t even tell his partner.”

  “It was bold,” Joshua said. “I still think he knew exactly what he intended to do when he signed with us to be a client. He might have been a real estate broker, but he was no fool.”

  “Interesting maneuver, nonetheless,” Trey said. “He might have actually poked me in the side if he’d been a bit more patient and low-key. But the main thing is that he found a weakness. One I never saw and one I never want to see again.”

  “We’re already covered. The crack has been sealed.”

  “Permanently?” Trey asked. Joshua nodded. “Good.”

  “He must have done a lot of research on you and the company to get so close,” Joshua said. Trey nodded. “So what do you want to do with it?”

  Trey sighed. “How viable is the company?”

  “Not too bad. Cost and asset ratios are acceptable with obvious limits, naturally. All in all it’s not a bad little company. Actually the idea is a pretty good one. But, of course, that’s not our main business.”

  “Exactly, the only thing we make is money,” Trey said. Joshua nodded.

  “So, options,” Joshua began. “Sell it, strip it, drop it into a nonsense portfolio package, or…” He paused, and Trey looked up at him with interest. Joshua smiled and continued. “We can do the same thing you did the last time someone tried to take you.”

  Trey remembered well. It was the court case that had labeled him the Iceman. “Only problem is,” Joshua said, “I don’t believe he has the capital.”

  “Nah, tell you what, table it for the time being. Give it another month. I’ll deal with it then.”

  “Okay, you’re up to speed,” Joshua said, closing his folder.

  “What’s happening with Cedric Caine?”

  “Cal’s latest figures are in the folder. They look good, a bit high, but it’s to be expected, considering,” Joshua said, and then shook his head. “Man, I don’t know about your new protégé.”

  “Cal?” Trey questioned.

  “Yeah, I swear I’ve never seen a man so excited about anything in my life. You’d think it was his whole career that was on the line.”

  “He’ll be okay. He just needs to settle in. It’s only been a few months and this is his first big move.”

  “I hope we’re not setting ourselves up with him.”

  “What do you mean? We’d be one of only a handful of privately held companies in this industry to launch this type of venture. Two financial institutions merging into one, the ramifications are incredible. We have to give it to him. Cal brought us a winner.”

  “Where does he get all this information on Caine? Look, I know we want to set up our own fund and I agree it’s the next logical step. But this is too pat.”

  “He’s good at what he does.”

  “I hope you’re right. Whatever. Speaking of which, Cedric Caine should be here in a few minutes.”

  Trey nodded. “Good.”

  “We’re in the final stages of preparations. But to tell you the truth, I’ll be glad when this deal is done. There’s something about a man who’s too eager to sell his family’s company that worries me.”

  “It’s a sweet deal,” Trey said, still impressed that the perfect deal had come along at exactly the right moment.

  “Too sweet if you ask me.”

  “Come on, Joshua, no risk, no gain. It looks like hiring Calvin Potter was a good move after all.”

  “Yeah, but looks can be deceiving.”

  Trey laughed, remembering earlier that morning and the would-be nanny. “Tell me about it.” Trey glanced over to see Joshua’s expression. “Come on. Don’t tell me you’re still skittish. We checked, double-checked and triple-checked. As far as we know, and a few things we didn’t know at the beginning, Caine Enterprises is a viable business.”

  Joshua nodded his agreement. “Where’s he getting his intel on this?”

  “Presumably the same place we get ours. He studies the market. He’s a go-getter. He saw a good deal so he jumped on it and since Cal is the one who initially put the whole thing together, I think he should be in on the next meet.” Joshua nodded. “It’s a good deal no matter how we stack it. There’s no soft edge.”

  “I agree, on paper it looks great,” Joshua said. He was all for the merger at one point. But soon after he began delving into the company, his gut feeling soured.

  “But,” Trey prompted curiously, “you think we should consider pulling out?” Joshua nodded slowly. “It’s the same thing Regina’s been saying. But I’m not convinced. I’ve been looking for a deal like this for years. It’s perfect, exactly what we’re looking for,” Trey said.

  “And it’s too perfect. Maybe that’s what concerns me about the whole thing. It’s too pat, too effortless. Nothing handed to you is ever that easy.”

  “Our job is to stay one step ahead. We need to know what our competitors know before they know it.”

  “Exactly, so either he’s psychic or he’s getting some outside or inside help.”

  “I’ll tell you what, why don’t you add a couple more checks to that. Better safe than sorry.”

  “Agreed,” Joshua said.

  “Have Cedric chill when he gets here. I’m gonna hit the nursery again.”

  “Okay, that’s it. What’s going on with you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I get the twins and the nanny distraction, but this is different, the vague expressions, complete disinterest in business. Cool I get, even detached, but, man, you’re damn near mellow. What’s with you, or better yet, who is she?”

  “She?” Trey asked.

  “Don’t even think about trying to fool me. You and I go back too far for that. Women come and go. I’ve only ever seen you this distracted once before.”

  Trey shook his head. He knew deceiving Joshua would be impossible. They were too much alike. “I’m not distracted, exactly. It’s nothing really. It’s just that this woman was at the house this morning. At first I thought she was the nanny I asked Kelly to hire for me, but I found out she wasn’t.”

  “Well, who is she, what does she want?”

  “Something about her father, I think he needs a job or something.”

  “Why would she go to you, at your home?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Kenya Whitaker,” Trey said. “I already asked for a workup on her but I think I’ll—” Joshua started laughing. Trey looked at him. “What?”

  “Trey, man, you really are out of it today, aren’t you?” The expression on his face said it all—he was clueless. “Damn, man, what did she do to you already?”

  “What?” Trey asked, knowing he’d missed something.

  “Trey, you said her name is Kenya Whitaker, as in James Whitaker, Whitaker Real Estate Investment Company. It’s all in the file,” he offered, pointing to the paperwork on his desk. “James and Lynette, so that would make your visitor, more likely than not, his—”

  “Daughter. Interesting,” Trey said, smiling.

  “What’s interesting is that you didn’t make the more than obvious connection sooner.”

  Joshua opened his own folder and began scanning the information. “Here it is in his personal data, he has three daughters—Kenya, Asia and Sidney.”

  “What does it say about them, her?”

  “Kenya is the oldest, twenty-eight years old, a graduate of Parsons School of Design in New York. Currently residing in D.C., and that’s a
ll we have on her.”

  “That’s all?” Trey questioned.

  “Trey, James and Lynette are our clients, not his daughters. We did a full workup on him and his wife. We only needed the daughters’ information for insurance purposes.”

  “Kenya is James’s daughter. Interesting,” Trey repeated, touching his lips.

  “Is that all you can say? The man tried to scam you, and then he claimed that you took advantage of him. He threatened to file a lawsuit, claimed he wasn’t fully apprised of the ramifications of what he was doing. I was in the law library for two weeks preparing for that.”

  “But he never filed. And now, months later, his daughter shows up on my doorstep. Yes, I’d call that very interesting.”

  “Obviously she thinks she can get her father’s company back.”

  “Obviously,” Trey said, half chuckling.

  “If that’s the case then you can blow her off.”

  Trey smiled. “No, not so fast. It takes a lot of guts to stand on a man’s doorstep with the sole intention of demanding retribution. I think I’m going to give her a bit of leeway.”

  “Oh, man,” Joshua said, shaking his head, “I can see it on your face. You’re like a cat with a toy mouse ready to play.”

  “Come on, I seldom get to play with such a worthy and attractive adversary anymore.”

  “There’s a reason for that—you don’t play fair.”

  “Fair, what’s fair?”

  “Why is she demanding the company back?” Joshua asked. “It makes no sense.” Trey shrugged. “Unless, of course, she doesn’t have the whole story,” he said.

  “I’m guessing not,” Trey said.

  “Trey, play nice, drop it now while you can. You don’t need drama and distractions right now,” Joshua suggested, knowing that he wouldn’t.

  “Actually, there is a small snag.”

  “You mean the fact that she probably most definitely hates you?”

  “Okay, maybe a couple of small snags. But the one I’m concerned about is Louise Gates.”

  “Mamma Lou? What about her?” Joshua asked, looking suddenly stressed.

  “She stopped by the house while Kenya was there. Mamma Lou assumed we were together.”

  “Now let me guess, you let her.”

  “I didn’t see any reason to disappoint her. I figured it was a way to keep her off my back.”

  “Enter drama and distractions.”

  “Not at all, I can handle Mamma Lou.”

  “Famous last words, man. One of these days that old lady is gonna have you cornered. And all the dancing in the world won’t get you out of it. She’s already gotten, what, how many of your friends and family?” Joshua stood to leave.

  “Nah, none of that matters. I’m too fast for her. You see, my theory is if you move fast enough and see her moves in advance, there’s no way she can get you.”

  “Didn’t your cousin J.T. say the same thing?”

  “Ah yes, but J.T. got distracted. That’s not gonna happen with me, I assure you,” Trey said smugly as he stood and followed Joshua out the door. “I’ll be down in the nursery.”

  Joshua shook his head and watched Trey go. He headed to his own office just down the corridor. He and Trey had also been friends, although the bond of brotherhood was delayed for years. A product of an illicit affair, Joshua had the same father as Trey, a man they both despised and with whom they never communicated.

  They met in prep school and even then Trey was a master planner. Usually quiet and reserved in public, he was often misunderstood. The press branded him the Iceman, cold and unfeeling. Notably, they continued to write that he stabbed at his competition, decimating them into oblivion. But the truth about Trey was known to the small inner circle of family and friends around him. He was nothing like that.

  Trey was a fiercely private man. Public interviews were rare, as he was often distrustful of those whom he didn’t know. He’d been burned and used once too often. Trey had learned too much of human nature. Those who took, he took first. In business, he never went after a company unless they first made a move on him. The Whitaker incident was a perfect example. To stop Whitaker was to take him down completely. He had no choice.

  Had James Whitaker been up-front, he would still have his company and still be enjoying success. Instead, he greedily wanted more. And that was his failure. It was a blow because Trey actually liked the old guy. But greed was often a man’s downfall.

  Joshua knew that Trey had great insight. When it came to business he saw beyond the surface. Joshua chuckled to himself as he sat down at his desk. Shame that Trey didn’t have that same insight now or with Mamma Lou. As of this morning, he was already a goner.

  He obviously didn’t have a clue. Just like J.T., he’d been distracted since the second he walked into the office. There was no way the old Trey wouldn’t have made the connection between the last names. Obviously he had no idea that he was already a goner. The only thing left to do now was start planning the bachelor party, and have his tuxedo cleaned and pressed.

  Trey smirked and chuckled as he took the elevator down to the second floor. He was completely assured of his invulnerability. Mamma Lou had no idea with whom she was dealing. Sure, all the other guys had gotten themselves trapped—albeit loving traps—but not him. He had no intention of taking that walk.

  A few minutes later Trey walked into the Li’l Tykes nursery, located on the second floor of the office building. He had added the nursery a few years ago when he noticed some of his employees having child-care problems.

  He stood at the window and saw Mrs. Thatcher, his new nanny, sitting with the twins and a few other children. The place was full. He walked in. Several workers immediately looked up, smiled and nodded. He returned their gesture then walked over to Mrs. Thatcher and the twins.

  “So, how are the three of you getting along?”

  “Famously,” Mrs. Thatcher said happily. “They are adorable. And just like twins, I believe they have that psychic connection.”

  “Yeah, tell me about it,” Trey said as he sat down at the small table. “Here’s the contract as per our discussion. I believe you’ll find everything in order. But, by all means, have your attorney look it over.”

  “I’m sure that won’t be necessary. I’ve been told that you’re an honorable man.” She pulled a pen from her purse and quickly signed her name, then handed it back to Trey.

  “Thanks for the compliment, but to whom do I owe the graciousness of such astute accolades?”

  Mrs. Thatcher chuckled. “If you want to know who told me about you, it was a mutual friend.” She smiled pleasantly, obviously not willing to say more.

  “Discretion, I like that. So where are you from, Mrs. Thatcher?” Trey asked, knowing he would get the information he wanted eventually. All he had to do was keep her talking and off guard. She’d tell him without even realizing it.

  “All over, but mostly Manchester,” she said.

  “New Hampshire?” Trey asked.

  “England. We were army brats. I spent most of my time overseas. Then I married and lived in England for some time. After my husband died I moved to the States, although one of my sisters recently moved back to England.”

  “Hence the accent,” he noted.

  “I didn’t realize it was still discernable.”

  “Barely,” Trey said. “So where are you now—D.C., Virginia, Maryland?”

  “Not too far. I’m staying with my other sister.”

  “Where’s that?”

  She smiled at his presumed cunning. “Not too far.”

  Trey nodded casually, having hit a wall with his questioning. “So what does your sister do?” he asked.

  “She and her husband own a cleaning service. And that’s the end of this line of questioning.”

  Trey laughed. He’d been found out. “Mrs. Thatcher, you and I are going to get along perfectly.”

  She smiled and nodded her agreement. “I was told that, as well.”

  Tr
ey laughed again. “Okay, so how were they?” he asked as he watched the twins play with the few remaining children.

  “Angels, of course,” she said. “We did have a little discussion about sharing our toys with others, but other than that, we got along famously.”

  Trey nodded. “Okay, about this evening—” Before he finished his cell rang. “Excuse me.” He stood and stepped aside. “Hello?”

  “Trey, it’s Mamma Lou,” the soft, sweet voice announced. A sudden chill shot through him as his heart instantly lurched, and not in a good way.

  “Hello, Mamma Lou, what can I do for you?” he choked out, hearing his voice almost crack for the first time since puberty.

  “Question, dear—what time will you be stopping by the boutique this evening?”

  “What boutique?” he asked.

  “Kenya’s place, of course. Otis and I are visiting friends and we’ve decided to stay for dinner. We won’t be dropping by until later.”

  “Mamma Lou, that really isn’t necessary. I’ll be happy to stop by with the twins. There’s no need to drive into the city.”

  “No, no trouble at all. We’re already in the city. I’m looking forward to a nice long visit with my great-grandchildren and, of course, Kenya. She seems like a very nice young lady. I’m looking forward to seeing her again and, of course, seeing her boutique.”

  “But, Mamma Lou, Kenya’s probably going to be busy.”

  “Then we’d better not stay too long.”

  “What I mean is that…I’m sure the shop isn’t quite ready for visitors.”

  “Oh, we’re not visitors, dear, we’re almost family.”

  “Family?” Trey repeated. “Mamma Lou, I’m sure she’ll be too busy with—” he began, then went blank. For the first time in as far back as he could remember words failed him.

  “Oh, dear, dinner’s on the table, we’ll have to chat later. Now you go ahead and take care of those angels. I’ll see you at the boutique later this evening.”

  Before he could come up with an excuse Louise had hung up. There was no way he could get out of it. Louise Gates was meeting him and his girlfriend of four months this evening, and she obviously wasn’t taking no for an answer. She was good, very good.