The Unwilling Executive

by Miranda P. Charles

  He laughed, just as he remembered his mother’s words.

  ‘We’ve given up on love, then one day, bang! We’re right in it. I have a feeling the same will happen to you, Lucas, only much sooner than you think.’

  He sighed, smiling. Maybe his mother’s prediction had come true.

  “Um, I want to tell you something,” Rick said.

  “What?”

  “You’ll keep this confidential, right? I don’t want my business to have a bad rep among any of my clients.”

  “Of course,” Lucas said, frowning at Rick’s tone.

  “There’s a policy in place at work where my staff needs to alert me when someone well-known buys a car. It’s so I’m able to toss in some personal touch if warranted. Yesterday, someone ordered a top-of-the-line BMW coupe, latest model. The pay went through Thomas Bilton’s credit card, but the ownership was for Jade Tully.”

  Lucas stared at Rick, his heart racing.

  “Maybe he’s just giving her a bonus, right?” Rick said. “I mean, Bilton Machineries has made the news before for being generous to their staff.”

  “Not that generous,” Lucas murmured. “Could it be one of Bilton’s company cars for his PA to drive?” he asked hopefully.

  “No,” Rick said. “The paperwork was for private ownership.”

  Lucas inhaled sharply, every cell in his body rebelling against the implications of Rick’s revelation.

  “I’d be careful around this Jade woman then if I were you, bro,” Connor said quietly.

  “Yes,” he agreed, although his mind seemed incapable of coherent thought. Everything was in a jumble in his head.

  “Hey, you’re leaving again in a couple of days,” Rick said gently. “You could recalibrate while you’re in Japan.”

  “Good idea,” he murmured, feeling a thick, dark cloak wrap around his heart.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Jade sighed with impatience. Thomas Bilton was still on the phone, and his meeting with her should have started ten minutes ago.

  He’d cancelled on her twice already in the last couple of weeks, saying he was waiting for some critical information he wanted to show her during their discussion. Strangely, Thomas hadn’t even wanted to know yet what Lucas had said to her. Thomas’ reason was that he didn’t want her thinking he’d cheat and tailor his response based on what Lucas had disclosed. He wanted her to fully trust his words so she could convey his message to Lucas with confidence that he truly meant what he said.

  That made some sense to Jade. But to Lucas, it was simply Thomas manipulating the situation again.

  Maybe Lucas was right. Maybe Thomas’ intentions weren’t as honourable as she’d originally believed.

  She buried her face in her hands. What could she do if that were the case? She needed this job. Her pay was above industry standards and the perks were fantastic. And she truly enjoyed the actual tasks and the people she worked with—even Thomas.

  But in her heart she knew that she wouldn’t be able to stay here if Lucas’ suspicions proved correct. How could she continue to work for a man who intended to keep hurting people she cared about? Ruby was a good friend of hers, and Lucas was...

  As far as she was concerned he was her boyfriend, even though it wasn’t official. They’d agreed not to tell anyone that they were seeing each other, apart from trusted friends and family. Lucas worried about what Thomas might do with the knowledge.

  Now she was worried too. After his initial enthusiasm about Lucas’ willingness to open up to her, Thomas seemed to have retreated—or changed his mind about talking.

  “Jade.”

  She lifted her head. Thomas was standing at his door and beckoned for her to come in. With a deep breath, she followed.

  She took a seat and waited for Thomas to settle himself and speak first.

  “The information I was hoping to get my hands on didn’t materialise,” Thomas said with a deep, displeased frown. “I’d been hoping to have it for this discussion.”

  Jade’s heart sank. Was he postponing this meeting again?

  “When you told me two weeks ago that Lucas had agreed to listen to my recording, I could tell from your face that he’d told you some pretty important facts, Jade.”

  She stared at him. Her poker face had failed her again, by the looks of it.

  “First, may I remind you of the nondisclosure agreement you signed?”

  “I remember, sir,” she said, her breath catching from anticipation.

  “Good. Now, I’ve said that I’ll follow Lucas’ lead on what you should know. I suppose we should begin with that. So what do you already know, Jade?”

  “That you had an affair with Ruby Renner thirty years ago when you were already engaged to Mrs. Bilton, and that Lucas is your son,” she said quietly.

  Thomas nodded, inhaling deeply. “Now I’ll tell you my side of the story.”

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  “I did have an affair with Ruby—a very brief one. It was during the time when Diana and I had a big argument and weren’t talking to each other. I’m not proud of the fact that I went to the arms of another woman when I was angry with Diana. I’m also not proud of the fact that I let Ruby believe there could be something between us. My only excuse is that I was young, successful and terribly cocky, thinking I had the whole world at my feet and that I could get away with anything.

  “I broke it off with Ruby when Diana found out about us. Diana left the country to be away from me. I realised then that I didn’t want to lose Diana. I begged for her to take me back, and eventually she did—but that’s an altogether different story.

  “Diana’s father was livid when he heard about my affair with Ruby. He said I wasn’t worthy of his daughter or of the help he’s given me to build my company. He’d invested heavily into Bilton Machineries, you see.”

  Jade nodded.

  “I promised him that Ruby and I were well and truly finished and that I was totally committed to his daughter. But he wouldn’t hear any of it and pulled out all the money he’d poured into Bilton Machineries. I couldn’t really blame him.”

  Jade raised her eyebrows. Lucas didn’t know about that.

  “With severe cash flow problems from Diana’s dad withdrawing his money, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to keep the company afloat,” Thomas continued. “I couldn’t borrow any more from the banks. Fortunately I managed to sell my vision to a couple of other people, who agreed to invest in the company.

  “I was trying to reconcile with Diana while all that was going on. She didn’t know if she could trust me again. She was also afraid that Ruby might not be totally out of the picture. To try to alleviate Diana’s concerns, I sent someone to ask Ruby to swear that we were over and that she would keep our affair a secret for Diana’s sake. Ruby was angry enough to say that she didn’t have a problem with that because she never wanted to see my face ever again.”

  Thomas slumped back on his chair, as if this was depleting his energy.

  Sympathy welled up inside Jade. Thomas looked like he was reliving the suffering as if it were happening now.

  “One day I got a message,” Thomas said with his eyes shut. “It was from Ruby, wanting to talk to me about something extremely important. I didn’t want to face her then. Diana and I were just rebuilding our relationship. So I sent the same assistant to find out what Ruby wanted. She said she was pregnant.

  “I was in shock. I didn’t want to believe her. She would have been about eight months along then and I wondered, if I was the real father, why she’d waited that long to tell me. I suspected that she wanted to blackmail me. At the time, my company was in the news because of several high-profile contracts with overseas partners.

  “So once again I sent someone to see her, to tell her that we’d be doing a paternity test when the baby was born. I wanted to keep everything at arm’s length because Diana didn’t know anything about it at the time. I didn’t want to have to tell Diana until I was sure I was the father of Ruby’
s baby.

  “My assistant arranged for a private clinic to do the tests, making sure nondisclosure agreements were signed. The results said that I wasn’t Lucas’ father.”

  Jade gasped.

  “I asked for my assistant to talk to Ruby and tell her once and for all to stop hassling me. I had proof—or I thought I had—that she’d lied. I’ve never heard from Ruby again after that.

  “Then about four months ago, I received a phone call from Lucas. I was intrigued about why Ruby’s son would be calling after all these years, so I picked up the call. Lucas accused me of sending someone to keep harassing his mother. I was angry and incredulous. The last time I sent someone to see Ruby was after the pregnancy test. I couldn’t believe that her son would call me out of the blue and come up with something totally ridiculous and baseless after so many years.

  “We exchanged angry words until Lucas brought up the paternity test. He said he’d pull it out for the world to see if I didn’t leave Ruby alone. I was both laughing and cursing when Lucas hung up. His claims were outrageous. But something in the way he spoke made me check my copy of the test. Of course what was shown in the paper hasn’t changed miraculously. It still said that I wasn’t Lucas’ father. But something still niggled me, so I got in contact with the private clinic who did the tests and asked for another copy. That was when I found out that what I’d had in my hands for almost thirty years was a bogus report.”

  Jade was having trouble breathing. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  Thomas blinked several times, his eyes watering.

  “I was enraged. I threatened to sue the clinic, but their records show that they did send the correct reports to the concerned parties. That left my assistant, who’d handled the whole thing for me. Unfortunately he’s dead. He passed away ten years ago.

  “I don’t know who else is involved in this or what their motivations are. But if someone is still visiting Ruby to this day, then someone is obviously keen on making sure this deception remains hidden. I’m still working on finding out who has kept me away from my son all these years, Jade. It’s frustrating me that we’re coming up with a blank. It would help if we could interview Ruby and Lucas, but I don’t want to alienate them any further. I want Lucas’ permission first before I make contact with Ruby.”

  Thomas ran his hands on his face. “This is a nightmare worse than anything I’ve ever imagined.”

  “Mr. Bilton,” Jade whispered in sympathy, not knowing what else to say.

  “I told Diana about this when I found out about the fake test result. She was in shock, as you can imagine. But she’s a good woman and is sympathetic to what’s happening. I have her full support in trying to reconcile with Lucas. As you know, Diana and I were not blessed with children. That I actually have a son is an unexpected gift that I’m extremely grateful for. Unfortunately, he hates me and I can’t say I blame him, even though I’ve been at the receiving end of this deception as well.” Thomas covered his face with his hands, breathing deeply.

  Jade pressed her fingers to the sides of her eyes, surreptitiously wiping away her tears. Her heart ached at Thomas’ story, but she was also joyful for Lucas. His father hadn’t rejected him after all.

  “Please tell Lucas all this, Jade.”

  “I will, sir.”

  “Thank you,” Thomas said, smiling at her. “I do believe Lucas has taken a shine to you. And you to him.”

  She blushed. There was no denying that.

  “I’m glad. I do want to make amends for what I’ve put Ruby and Lucas through in all these years. Could you help me with something regarding that?”

  “Of course, Mr. Bilton.”

  “I had a private investigator give me some information about Lucas and his mother when I was trying to sort out the fake paternity test. I didn’t know anything about their lives since I haven’t had any dealings with them in the last thirty years, so I just wanted to know some details. I don’t think Lucas would appreciate knowing that at this point, though. So could you not tell him that bit until he’s mellowed enough and agreed to talk to me?”

  She nodded. She could already imagine Lucas blowing up if he learned that Thomas had had an investigator digging into his and Ruby’s lives. It could be detrimental to the reconciliation process.

  “I felt very proud when I found out that Lucas works as a mechanic for a winning Formula One team. We obviously share the same interest in machines, although mine are of the big, heavy, slow kind,” Thomas said with a chuckle. “I imagine he must be very good at what he does. I like to tinker with cars, too. Anyway, I told him in the letter you handed to him that I would love for him to consider being part of Bilton Machineries. Whatever skills he’s acquired would surely be transferable to what we do here. And while I plan to work until I’m no longer capable—hopefully for ten more years, at the very least—I don’t want this company passing to the hands of just anyone when I’m gone. I don’t have siblings, so I don’t have any nieces or nephews. Diana has one brother who has a daughter, but they have no interest whatsoever in this business. But I believe this is right down Lucas’ alley. My hope is that while I still have plenty of time, I could show him the ropes so he can be prepared to take over this company when I’m no longer capable.”

  “He doesn’t feel any entitlement to Bilton Machineries, sir,” she said. She was touched by what Thomas had said and didn’t have the heart to tell him that Lucas didn’t want anything to do with his company.

  “I know,” Thomas said with a sigh. “That speaks loudly of how much he is against me. The chasm I must cross before he’ll accept me is wide. But you can help me start building that bridge, Jade, if you are willing.”

  “Of course, sir.”

  “Great. Diana has suggested a dinner at our house with the four of us. That way, Lucas can see that Diana welcomes him with open arms.”

  “I don’t think he’d agree to that at this point, Mr. Bilton.”

  “Just try, Jade. Please. We have to keep chipping away. I’m not getting any younger. I don’t want to waste any more time in getting to know my son,” Thomas said with a wobble in his voice.

  “Okay, sir.”

  “Thank you, Jade. I want you to know that I appreciate your help very much. And I do believe that you’re the key to getting Lucas to open up to me.”

  She nodded. How she’d accomplish the task he’d just asked her to do, she had no clue.

  *****

  “It doesn’t make sense,” Lucas said, frowning.

  “Which part doesn’t?” Jade asked, looking at him with concern. She’d hoped that Lucas would greet her news with some relief, even joy. But all she could see on his face was stark scepticism.

  “It’s unbelievable that from my one phone call with him, he got in touch with the clinic to double check the paternity results. Then suddenly, not only does he want to play dad and son, he also wants to prepare me for a future takeover of his beloved company. He hardly knows me, Jade. What sane man would make snap decisions like that regarding a person he’s never spoken a single word to until four months ago—son or not?”

  “He is a bit eccentric,” she said, looking around the restaurant to make sure no one could overhear their conversation. “Anyway, I believe him.”

  Lucas’ scowl got deeper.

  “I can see where you’re coming from, Lucas. But I was right in front of Mr. Bilton when he told me his side of the story. His emotions are just as real as yours are right now. I really think he’s telling the truth.”

  “And I still think he has ulterior motives,” said Lucas, glaring at her. “You’ve known the man for, what, four months? How could you make that call when his actions for the last thirty years compared to these last few months say otherwise?”

  She squeezed his arm, disliking that he was getting mad at her. “Maybe you should talk to him. Face to face. Then you can decide for yourself whether to believe him or not.”

  “Maybe,” Lucas said, to her surprise. “I just want to d
rag the truth out of the man,” he muttered.

  She smiled, relieved with this progress. “He’s invited us to his house for dinner with his wife,” she said tentatively. “Maybe we can go when you come back from Japan?”

  “What?” Lucas asked.

  “He’s told his wife Diana,” she said gently. “And they both want to make you feel welcome in their home—and their lives.”

  Lucas continued to scowl at her, searching her face.

  “You don’t think it’s a good idea?” she asked.

  “Why are you pushing this so much, Jade?” he asked harshly. “I thought you understood perfectly well why I don’t trust your boss. Why are you suddenly so insistent?”

  “I just thought that since you’ve agreed to meet with him face to face...”

  Lucas shook his head. “If you don’t mind, I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

  She suppressed a sigh.

  For the rest of the night, she tried to carry on light conversation. Lucas only responded with a word here and there. He was cold towards her and she felt it acutely.

  *

  “I’ll drive you home,” Lucas said as he started the car.

  “I thought I was going to stay over at your place tonight.”

  “I haven’t prepared for my trip to Japan yet. My flight leaves very early tomorrow,” he said flatly.

  “Okay.” Her eyes watered but she forced herself to get a grip. Lucas was just upset and she could understand why.

  When he stopped in front of her apartment building, she reached for his hand. “Please don’t be mad at me.”

  Lucas gave her a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I think we should cool off, Jade.”

  She gaped at him, unable to believe what he’d just said. “Lucas... Why?”

  Lucas stared out the window, his expression unreadable.

  She waited, aware that her heart wanted to jump out of her chest and cling to him.

  “There’s something I should have told you from the beginning,” Lucas said quietly, still not looking at her. “I’m not after a relationship, Jade. I never have been. I think we’ve gone as far as we can.”