Forbidden Promises

by Synithia Williams

  Late breakfast together my ass.

  She stood and crossed the room. She’d had a plate of fruit when they’d first come in. A more substantial meal was what she really wanted. Until she escaped, this would have to do.

  Roy straightened his square frame glasses and cleared his throat. “As I was saying.” The look he threw her way said before-I-was-rudely-interrupted. India fought the petty urge to stick out her tongue and stacked grapes on a clean china saucer instead. “There are two important things we need to address as part of Byron’s campaign. First is his best friend.”

  India’s hand slipped. The fork she was using to pick up pineapple slices clattered to the buffet. All eyes turned to her. Her dad’s narrowed.

  “Sorry,” she mumbled and looked back at the food.

  “What about Travis?” Grant asked in a warning tone.

  “We need a role for him,” Roy answered quickly.

  India turned away from the food and gave Roy her full attention. A role for Travis? What did that mean? He was Byron’s best friend, that was his role.

  Elaina zeroed in on Roy like a predator ready to eviscerate its prey. “Why does he need a role? He’s not family.”

  Byron shifted forward in his seat opposite of Elaina. “Come on, you’ve got to stop that.”

  “No. I don’t,” Elaina replied evenly. “I did not say anything that wasn’t a fact.”

  Roy, good campaign manager that he was, jumped in before the disagreement could boil over into a full argument. “Maybe not, but he’s a prominent figure in Byron’s life. He and Byron are often seen together. We can’t ignore him.”

  Byron spoke up. “I won’t ignore him. He’s the person whose advice I value the most.”

  Roy held up a hand. He looked like he’d already been through this argument and wasn’t ready for the replay. “Fine, but it’s no secret he isn’t on speaking terms with all family members.”

  Everyone looked at Elaina. She rose to her feet and paced to the window. “What does that have to do with anything?” Elaina asked.

  Aunt Liz cocked her head to the side. “Come on, Elaina. You aren’t that naive.”

  Grant faced his oldest daughter. “It’s a weak point people can use to attack. Byron is best friends with his sister’s ex-husband, whom she doesn’t talk to. I told you it’s time for you to move on and at least pretend to be happy.”

  Elaina’s shoulders tightened. “I’m sure we’re not the only family in that particular situation.”

  “Those families aren’t getting into national politics,” Grant replied. “Our reputation is important. We have to do whatever is necessary to show them not only that Byron is a good candidate, but that our family is strong and sticks together. No hint of dysfunction.”

  “He’s my ex. What did you expect? Us to be best friends forever? I don’t have to be nice to him.”

  “Since you both agreed to the divorce,” Grant countered, “you both can be amicable.”

  “Sorry to disappoint,” Elaina replied caustically.

  India had noticed the tension between Travis and Elaina. If they weren’t on speaking terms, then India wanted to know why. From what India had heard, Elaina moved back to the estate after her divorce, even though Travis offered to move, and sold their home after they split.

  “You can’t ignore him,” Byron’s voice interrupted India’s speculation.

  Irritation blanketed Elaina’s face. Roy jumped in before Elaina went in on Byron. “And we need him to help the campaign by showing a different, more urban side of Byron.”

  Byron’s eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”

  That comment got a range of reactions from the family. Amusement from Ashiya. An indignant frown on her aunt’s face. Grant raised a brow. Annoyance welled in India. Urban? What the hell was that supposed to mean?

  “Hear me out,” Roy said, not breaking a sweat after throwing out that firebomb. “Byron, the perception of you is a spoiled rich boy. That’ll make you unrelatable to some people. You’re charming and personable, which means you’re able to draw people in, but will they trust you in the Senate? Travis grew up hard. Literally in the trailer park across town that’s known for drugs and destitution.”

  Byron rolled his eyes. “I think destitution is a bit dramatic.”

  “Either way,” Roy continued. “Travis made a name for himself. Despite your differences growing up, you two are friends. That friendship makes you approachable. Likeable.”

  “Glad to know my growing up in destitution makes Byron likeable.” Travis’s lazy drawl came from the door.

  India’s heart nearly jumped out her chest. She spun toward the door. Travis didn’t look the least bit offended. He looked like he’d stepped off the pages of a catalog with a lazy smile on his face. Handsome, confident and completely in control in a navy button-down and khakis. His dark gaze did a quick sweep of the room. Stopped for an extra second when he met India’s gaze, then he looked back at Roy. He strolled into the room over to Byron.

  Byron grinned and stood. He clasped Travis’s hand and they gave each other a quick hug. “I’m only likeable because I have a friend who grew up on the wrong side of town.”

  “Make fun all you want,” Roy said again, not bothered by being caught talking about Travis. “But everything we can do to prove you’re a relatable guy is going to help this campaign.”

  Byron clasped a hand on Travis’s shoulder. “We don’t have to bring you into this if you don’t want us digging into your family history.”

  Travis shrugged. “Man, my past is my past. I’m not ashamed of it or my family.”

  Byron nodded, slapped his friend’s shoulder, then dropped his hand. “Even so, we won’t be bringing it up or parading you around like you’re some urchin we took off the streets.” Byron’s voice hardened, and he looked directly at Roy. Roy held up his hands in acquiescence.

  Elaina looked over her shoulder and grunted. “He is some urchin Daddy took off the street.”

  India’s hands clenched into fists. Her eyes jumped to Travis. Again, he was unfazed. His shoulders shook with a silent laugh.

  “Sweet and loving as always, Elaina,” he said in a mocking voice.

  Grant’s brows drew together in a scowl. “Elaina, angry and bitter doesn’t look good on you.”

  Elaina crossed her arms tightly over her chest and turned back to the window.

  Roy pointed first at Elaina and then Travis. “See, this is what I mean. Travis is obviously going to be part of Byron’s campaign, but this animosity between you two won’t play out well. You aren’t the person to pair with Travis.”

  Grant turned his attention away from Elaina back to Roy. “Pair. What do you mean pair?”

  “For public appearances or fund-raisers. We can’t have Travis with Elaina at any events. They’ll be too busy tearing each other apart instead of campaigning for you. We need everyone else in the family to demonstrate the family and friendships are still strong despite the divorce. I’m pairing Travis up with Byron and India.”

  India’s jaw dropped. Everyone turned to her. Everyone except Elaina. Who stood even more rigid next to the window.

  “Me? Why me?” The words came out in a weird croak and she cleared her throat.

  “Because you make sense,” Roy explained. “That and Byron has no other siblings.” He glanced at Grant. “Right?”

  Grant’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t have any bastards, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “Daddy, crude and offensive don’t look good on you,” Elaina said in a sweet voice. Grant glared. She responded with a smug smile. Elaina never quivered under one of their father’s angry looks.

  Getting no response from Elaina, Grant swung his dangerous stare toward Roy. The look had the typical effect on Roy. Color rose in his cheeks. At least he was smart enough not to repeat the statement. Offend Grant Robid
oux and he could make your life a living hell.

  Roy nodded and rubbed his hands together. “Then India it is.”

  Travis crossed the room to the food. India quickly stepped out of his way. Her hip bumped the table, rattling the platters set on the surface. Travis raised an eyebrow. She forced herself to relax and nod congenially. She wasn’t supposed to react when he was near. They were cool now. They’d cleared the air. Deemed what happened years ago a mistake. She couldn’t run and hide when he came near.

  She focused on Roy. “What do I have to do?”

  “There will be a few times when we’ll need family members to campaign for Byron if he can’t be there personally. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover and if we can show a united front, I’d recommend having at least two family members together in those cases. I’ll partner you with Travis for those appearances. The two of you can play up how great he is as a brother and friend.”

  Roy made it all sound so easy. Sure, everything seemed simple to everyone else. They didn’t realize the easy friendship she’d once shared with Travis was gone. No one knew she could barely look at him without thinking about how she’d loved him. How she’d dreamed about his kiss even after he’d married Elaina. Fought to forget the feel of his hands on her body as she’d stood next to her sister at their wedding.

  “Now that that’s settled,” Roy said, obviously taking India’s silence as agreement, “we can get to the next point.”

  “Are you okay with spending time with me?” Travis asked in a low voice.

  India’s heart did a triplet beat. He’d slid close to her as Roy moved on. His proximity was like an electric current vibrating against her skin.

  “Of course,” she said quickly. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “You wouldn’t be the only person not wanting my company lately.”

  The disappointment in his voice made her look up. He wasn’t looking at her. He frowned at the floor. His lips pressed into a tight line. She wanted to reach out and touch him. To attempt to erase the sadness from his features. “I’ll always want your company.”

  His head snapped up and he studied her face. She really shouldn’t have said that. The words were too close to how she really felt. Too close to breaking the stupid it-was-a-mistake agreement they’d made the night before.

  “We’ll need to pick out a suitable fiancée for him.”

  Roy’s voice and the randomness of his words broke India from the captivating hold of Travis’s eyes. She tuned back into the conversation. “Fiancée? Who needs a fiancée?”

  Byron chuckled and placed a hand on his chest. “I do.”

  She dropped the plate of fruit back on the table. “What? When? To who?” she sputtered.

  Grant stood and clamped a hand on Byron’s shoulder. “To the perfect woman who will help him become the next senator in this area. She has impeccable lineage, her family is already in politics, and she’s smart as a whip. A former law professor with UNC School of Law and on her way to making partner in a prestigious firm.”

  India looked from her father to Byron. Were they serious? “You didn’t mention you were getting married.”

  Byron shrugged as if not mentioning a possible fiancée wasn’t a huge deal. “I didn’t decide to ask her until recently. We’ve been dating for a few months.”

  Dating for a few months? Wasn’t he the same guy Travis teased about three women calling him just yesterday? Her brother was a ladies’ man, but he wasn’t a dog. He wouldn’t be considering marriage to someone if he still had multiple women calling his phone. Would he? Had he changed that much while she’d been gone?

  “Do you love her?”

  Byron blinked rapidly as if shocked by her question before he smiled his carefree, don’t-be-silly smile. “Of course I wouldn’t ask her to marry me if I didn’t.”

  “What’s her name?” India crossed her arms. Bullshit her brother was in love. If he was in love, he would’ve said something. He hadn’t mentioned this woman since she’d been home. She wasn’t buying what he was trying to sell.

  “Yolanda Simms,” he said with a smug smile. “You’ll meet her at dinner later this week. But don’t mention the engagement. I want to surprise her.”

  “We’re doing it later in the campaign,” Roy said eagerly. “Not long before the primaries.” He looked at his watch. “Okay, that’s it. Thanks for your time this morning, everyone.”

  With that bombshell, the family session ended. Elaina rushed out without a backward glance. Aunt Liz joined Byron, her dad and Roy as they talked more strategy. India stood frozen and watched as her brother smiled, laughed and strategized his way into a Senate seat. They were announcing their engagement closer to the primaries? Was he really getting married just to win?

  She spun toward Travis. “You aren’t letting him do this, are you?” She pointed over her shoulder at her brother.

  Travis stilled with a chocolate croissant halfway to his mouth. “Do what?”

  She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Marry this Yolanda person. Who is she? Are they really dating?”

  Travis sighed. “They’ve gone back and forth for a while.”

  Which really meant her brother had been sleeping with her for a few months, but there was no commitment. Her hands balled into fists. She couldn’t believe this!

  “Don’t spout off the campaign bullshit with me,” she said in a low voice that wouldn’t carry to her plotting relatives still in the room. “Not with me. This is a campaign maneuver.”

  “Roy has a point.” Travis said the words slowly, as if he couldn’t believe he was agreeing with Roy. “Your brother can’t be a senator if he’s out there picking up women in bars. He’s got to settle down. Yolanda is who he chose.”

  “Did he choose her?” She wouldn’t doubt that Roy, or their dad, had picked the perfect woman for him.

  “He said he chose her.”

  “Do you believe him?”

  Travis glanced at the group huddled together. “I want to believe him. Giving up what you want for an unhappy marriage isn’t worth the price of a Senate seat.” He turned a heavy gaze on her. “Not when it ruins a true chance at happiness.”

  India leaned back. Stunned into silence. Her throat was dry and her stomach fell to her feet. The regret in his eyes created a deep ache in her chest. Had he given up something for an unhappy marriage? Before the words could spill from her lips, he took a bite of the croissant and strolled over to join the strategizing team, leaving India with another unanswered question to taunt her at night.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  TRAVIS RARELY LEFT his office at the edge of Jackson Falls to brave the downtown lunch rush, but today he did so to visit Byron’s campaign office in the heart of the city. The campaign headquarters was located on the bottom floor of a two-story home renovated into commercial space. The building sat comfortably between an Italian restaurant to the left and a bookstore on the right. A dance studio that overflowed with young kids learning ballet, tap and hip-hop after school occupied the top floor. Travis grabbed the last available space in the parking lot on the side of the building.

  Byron’s campaign office buzzed with activity. Even before Byron officially announced his intention to run for office, he’d already gathered a group of loyal supporters. Volunteers answered the phones, scheduled appearances and created signs that would soon plaster all of Jackson Falls and beyond. Travis was a regular in the office, so several people waved or spoke as he walked toward the office door in the back.

  He knocked twice before a muffled voice said, “Come in,” and Travis opened the door. Byron sat behind the desk. He didn’t look up from the notecards in his hand. The top button of his blue dress shirt was undone, and the two ends of the blue-and-gray-striped tie hung loosely around his neck.

  “Still can’t get used to wearing a tie daily,” Travis teased.

  Byron tossed the ca
rds on the table. Relief washed over his features and he jumped up from the leather chair behind his desk. “Thank God you’re here.”

  “I know I’m great, but what’s all this excitement for?” Travis shut the door and came into the room.

  Byron came around the desk and leaned on the edge. “I’m going to lose my mind if I have to go over the campaign speech Roy wrote for me one more time.” He rubbed his eyes and looked way too tired for it to only be noon. “He’s running me ragged.”

  “You wanted the best campaign manager there was, and he’s the best.” Before he took on Travis’s campaign, Roy had been behind the successful run of an underdog candidate in the Southwestern part of the state. The upset had overthrown a representative who’d held the seat firmly for over a decade. He’d pulled off a miracle. Byron’s campaign should be a cakewalk after that.

  “True.” Byron dropped his hands from his eyes. “I want to win.” His voice hardened like concrete.

  Travis had seen determination on Byron’s face before, but rarely like this. Byron had taken the only-son, golden-child, rich-boy role and ridden that persona to achieve every success in his life. He was a good lawyer and cared about his clients, but becoming a lawyer wasn’t a way to improve his life, as it had been for Travis. To see his friend so focused on the campaign gave Travis a mixed sense of pride and discomfort. Byron didn’t like losing. How far would he go to win?

  “Is that why you’re proposing to Yolanda?” Travis asked. He walked over and sat in one of the chairs in front of Byron’s desk.

  Byron looked everywhere but at Travis. “I want to marry her.”

  “You can’t play politician with me. You and Yolanda had a few regular hookups, but the relationship wasn’t exclusive. At least, you weren’t. Now you’re ready to marry her?”

  Byron finally met his gaze. “I need to appear stable.”

  “Did Roy put you up to this?”