Scandalous Secrets

by Synithia Williams

  “No need to apologize,” Byron said. “Thank you for taking the time to meet me. I was afraid your neighbor was going to call the police.”

  Zoe chuckled and some of the old spark came back to her eyes. “Who? Mrs. Morgan? Don’t worry. She called me as soon as you pulled up. I told her I knew you were there and that you were just waiting on me.” She turned back to the car and grabbed her purse along with a leather messenger bag.

  Byron hurried over and held out a hand. “Well, she eyed me as if I were about to steal something.”

  She handed over the messenger bag with a grateful look. “That’s why I love her. No one is sneaking up on my place. I’ve got to get something else.” Zoe leaned across her driver’s seat to reach for something on the passenger side.

  One of her legs lifted off the garage’s cement floor. The back of her dark purple skirt rose and provided an enticing view of the rich brown skin on the back of her thigh. Byron quickly looked away before his body reacted. Not just his body, but his entire being. One glimpse of those dark brown eyes, and that dimple in her left cheek and he’d been transported back fifteen years. Back when he’d been a college sophomore who’d fallen hard and fast just from a flash of her smile.

  He wasn’t supposed to still be attracted to her. He’d grown up. He’d moved on. He wasn’t guided by his dick. So he shouldn’t feel nervous and jittery just because the woman he used to have a crush on was near.

  “Got it.” Zoe straightened from the vehicle with a stack of multiple folders in her arms.

  “What’s all that?” He closed the SUV door for her.

  Zoe shifted the items in her arms for a better grip. “I’ve got some work I really need to do.”

  He averted his eyes. He shouldn’t have pulled her away from her job. She had a life, and here he was about to upend everything. When Zoe had walked away years ago, he’d been hurt at first. In the years since, he’d understood why she’d chosen to go away and get her life together on her own instead of taking his offer. He’d promised himself he wouldn’t interfere anymore. He’d respected her wishes and left her alone. Yet, here he was about to ask her for something that would change everything.

  “Zoe, I’m sorry. I really didn’t plan to ever come back into your life.”

  She paused in the middle of reaching for the door leading from the garage into her house to stare at him over her shoulder, her brows drawn together. “Don’t apologize. After what you did for me, leaving work early is the least I can do for you.”

  Byron nodded and hoped she still believed that after he told her everything. When she opened the door, the alarm beeped and a robotic voice said, “Garage door.” Zoe hurried to the keypad across the mudroom they’d entered and tapped a few of the keys. The beeping stopped as the alarm was disabled.

  “Come on in,” she said.

  He followed her into the kitchen where she dumped the files onto the table. Her kitchen was clean. No dirty dishes in the sink or on the table. She’d decorated the space in bright primary colors, red, yellow and blue bowls and plates adding personality to the white appliances and slate-colored countertops.

  “Do you want something to drink? I have juice, soda and water. I’ve also got snacks. I keep them in the house in case Lilah gets hungry after school. Not just chips, but fruit and stuff, you know?”

  Zoe went to the pantry and pulled out a bag with an assortment of chips, then to the fridge where she studied the contents inside. Byron smiled to himself and walked over to her. Just like in college, Zoe tended to ramble when she was nervous. As if no time had passed, he did what he’d done back then. He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave a light squeeze.

  “Chill, Zoe, we’ll figure this out.”

  She stiffened like concrete beneath his touch. Byron immediately dropped his hand. He’d gone on autopilot instead of being rational. They hadn’t seen each other in years. Could they even still consider themselves friends?

  “Sorry, I shouldn’t have touched you,” he said.

  She closed the fridge and faced him. “It’s been forever. It feels weird. Why does it feel weird?”

  “The last time I saw you I’d asked you to marry me. The next day you were gone.” He kept his voice even and tried not to show how much her disappearing had hurt.

  She raised her brows and gave a soft laugh. “Yeah, that would make this visit kind of awkward.” She ran a hand over her hair. “About that...”

  Byron shook his head. “Let’s not go rehashing the past. You leaving was for the best.”

  The line between her brows returned. He recognized the look on her face. She hadn’t expected that response. Her frown usually meant she was about to argue with him. Would she say she regretted leaving? His breathing stuttered, and a nervous anticipation flooded his veins. What would he even say to that?

  Her face cleared, and she placed a hand to her chest. “Thank you for saying that.” Relief filled her voice. “You helped me out, and I always imagined you hating me for not going through with things.”

  His shoulders relaxed, but he wasn’t relieved. How often had he wondered if even a small part of Zoe regretted leaving him? Now, like before, he was reminded that the feelings between them had always been one-sided.

  “I couldn’t hate you,” he said. The words were the truth. He’d been hurt that she’d run away, missed her because they’d been cool, and angry she hadn’t told him to his face. But he’d never hated her for making the decision.

  “That’s what your mother said.” Zoe turned back to the fridge and pulled out a pitcher filled with red juice. “She told me you’d eventually understand why I left and that you wouldn’t be mad.” She held up the pitcher. “Tropical punch-flavored Kool-Aid. I know you can’t turn that down.”

  That was his favorite flavor. Their favorite flavor. She’d always had some in her fridge in college, and she’d pour him a glass when he’d come over to study. Even though good memories tried to come back, what she’d said snatched his attention.

  “Hold up, my mom knew you were leaving?” His mom had acted just as surprised to find out Zoe had left as he’d been.

  Zoe hesitated as she poured their drinks. “She was the one who talked me into going.”

  Byron blinked. “She what?” The words burst from his lips. No way. This had to be a mistake. His mother had convinced him not to look for Zoe. She’d said if Zoe was willing to run off without saying a word of thanks then he was better off without her in his life. “That can’t be right.”

  Zoe walked over and held out one of the glasses toward him. “Look, Byron, I don’t know what your mom said after I left, but what happened back then is something we can sort out another day. The more important thing is who’s looking for me and threatening to reveal the truth.”

  A dozen questions bounced around Byron’s mind. He wanted an answer to every single one, but Zoe was right. They had more pressing issues. He could figure out what had really happened later.

  Byron took the cup from her. “His name is Carlton Powell. He’s a shady private investigator. At the time Dominic came looking for you to find out if my name was on the birth certificate, someone had also hired Carlton to look for you. We convinced Carlton to say he hadn’t found you.”

  Zoe pulled out a chair at the kitchen table and sank heavily into the seat. “Who sent him?”

  Byron sat opposite her. He gripped the cup to stop himself from reaching out to squeeze her shoulder again. His touch was weird to her. He didn’t want to invade her space. “We don’t know who hired him. He wouldn’t tell us.”

  “It’s Kendell. I know it’s him.” Her voice was steady, but her hands trembled.

  “He’s still in prison.” Byron had asked Dominic to verify her ex’s release date. They still had five months before they had to worry about Kendell. Theoretically. First, they had to prove he wasn’t bankrolling Carlton’s investigation.
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br />   “That doesn’t mean anything. He had connections with some pretty bad people before he went. His mom blamed me pressing charges against him for domestic violence as the reason why the police found out about the rest of his criminal ties. I’m sure he’s the reason she said that.” She placed her forehead in her hand. “I knew things couldn’t be this easy forever. I’d hoped that after all the time passed he’d get over it.”

  “We don’t know it’s him.”

  She lifted her head and glared at him. “Who else would be looking for me, Byron?” she snapped.

  “Who else knows you said I was Lilah’s father?” The words came out harder than he’d planned. Her distress fueled his own. He hated not knowing who was after them. Her ex was the obvious choice, but Byron wasn’t about to put on blinders and not consider all options. He softened his tone when he spoke again. “Anyone from college who knew could have heard of my campaign and wondered why I didn’t have you and a kid by my side.”

  She closed her eyes and blew out a heavy breath.

  “My bad, I didn’t mean to sound so...”

  “I get it. This is stressful.”

  Zoe ran a finger over a groove in the white tabletop. Her nails were short, rounded and painted a pastel neutral color. He’d liked that about her. The way her hands were always neat and manicured. Her touch always soft and comforting. “I asked you to say she was yours, and you did. Even though I ran off before I had her, I always understood what a big deal it was for you to go along with my story.”

  Big deal was an understatement. He’d gotten into a fight with Kendell. His parents had called him young, naive and ridiculously romantic before hiring a lawyer to make sure no charges were ever pressed against Byron as a result of the fight. He’d asked her to marry him, and without an ounce of regret, told his parents they’d have to accept his decision because he loved Zoe and wanted to protect her. When she’d left neither his mom nor dad had ever said I told you so, but he’d seen those words in their eyes every time they looked at him in the weeks after Zoe disappeared. He’d never felt so foolish and so inexperienced.

  “Lilah knows the truth.”

  Byron shifted back, stunned. “She does?”

  “When she was younger, I didn’t answer questions about her dad, but when she turned twelve, I felt she would understand. Plus, I wanted her to know what you did for us. I never told her your name because I didn’t want her to go looking for you.”

  “Why not?” He shouldn’t be surprised. She hadn’t wanted him to be a part of her life, so why would she want her daughter to be a part of his?

  “Even though thirteen years have passed, I always knew in my heart that if something happened to me and she needed something you’d help her. You’ve done so much for us already, I didn’t want you to feel as if going along with my secret came along with expectations of you acting like Lilah’s real father.”

  Byron clasped his hands in front of him. “I would have helped her, and it wouldn’t have been because of expectations. We were friends, Zoe. I hope we can still be friends.”

  She smiled and something in her dark eyes told him she hoped the same. The late-night talks after study sessions, the laughter at their inside jokes, the way she’d call him Pretty Ricky to tease him about his pretty-boy style or a spoiled rich kid whenever he acted like one were things he’d once depended on. He hadn’t been aware of that missing piece of his life until this moment.

  Zoe cleared her throat and glanced away. “So you think someone could be looking for me to get to you?”

  Byron jumped at the chance to get back to the point of this conversation. “It’s a possibility. Other people knew the story from college. They heard the lie we told. Anyone could have mentioned it to a reporter, or someone connected to my opponent. This could be a way to dig up old dirt and slander my name.”

  The idea seemed to take some of the worry out of her eyes. “What do you want me to do?”

  He took a sip of the Kool-Aid and wished it was something stronger. He needed fortification for what he was about to ask her to do. “We have to tell the story before anyone else does.”

  He’d come up with the idea right after Carlton walked away. This was the best way to beat the jerk at his own game. People like Carlton were only pacified for a short time.

  She blinked a few times and shook her head. “You want to claim paternity?” She let out a disbelieving laugh. “Seriously?”

  He was serious and had no idea how this would play out. He could only imagine the heart attack Roy would have. Not to mention his dad’s head might actually explode. Despite all that, this was the only path forward he could see. Not just to save his own political career, but also to protect Zoe. He would never forget the fear in Zoe’s eyes the night she’d asked him for help. He couldn’t reveal the truth about Lilah’s father, and potentially put Zoe and her daughter in jeopardy. He’d won the primary against an opponent who hadn’t gone for his personal life. The race to the Senate would be far uglier. If someone started spreading rumors about Byron and Zoe, he’d have to address this regardless. Something had to be said so why not carry out the lie?

  “How would we even do this?” she asked, not sounding the least bit convinced this was a good idea. “I don’t want to drag Lilah into a political mess.”

  The tension in his neck eased slightly. At least she hadn’t immediately said no. “If we do things the right way, calmly and with a good story, then it’ll blow over before the next news cycle.”

  Doubt clouded her eyes. She was probably visualizing all the complications that might come with being involved in a political campaign. A part of him wanted to say never mind. To tell Dominic and Roy to figure out a way to make any ties he had with Zoe disappear.

  The part of him that wanted to win this seat couldn’t do that. That part of him also knew his opponent would catch word of this and spin things into something ugly. The opposition would paint Zoe in a negative light, drag the truth of Lilah’s paternity through every shady media outlet they could find, and not bat an eye about making a young girl’s life a living hell. Byron couldn’t afford to let any surprises pop up in his campaign and kill his chances. Not even lingering affection for Zoe.

  He went with what used to work whenever he needed her on his side and reached out to place his hand over hers. Her eyes shot up to his. Byron’s pulse sped up. He swallowed and pushed away the ridiculous fluttering in his midsection. This was business, not personal. Zoe would make her own choices, and not once had she ever chosen him. He’d be better off remembering that.

  “Please, Zoe. I’ll use all my resources to limit the impact on you and Lilah. Too much is at stake if we don’t do something. I need you to consider this for me.”

  She pulled her hand back and rubbed the back of her neck. Hesitation still in her eyes before she sighed. “Can you give me until the end of the week? There are some things I need to do before I give you an answer.”

  He’d come to have an answer before going back to Jackson Falls, but he wouldn’t push. “The end of the week it is.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  ZOE BARELY HAD time to process everything in the short time between Byron’s leaving and her needing to pick up Lilah from school. As much as she didn’t want to become a part of Byron’s campaign, she’d known this day was coming. Known she’d have to contend with leaving the spot blank on her daughter’s birth certificate.

  Without a father listed Kendell could return, request a DNA test and fight to have himself listed as a legal guardian of their daughter. If she admitted the truth then Byron wouldn’t have to be named, his campaign could go on unbothered and he could walk away just as she’d walked away all those years ago. Except he didn’t want to walk away. He wanted to continue to keep their secret even though claiming a child now could cost him the election.

  The thought poked at the soft spot in her heart she’d always carried for him. B
yron was still out to save the world. She’d thought he was full of shit when they’d first met in college. No way the pretty rich boy who had almost every girl on campus tripping over themselves to get close to him was really into community service and volunteerism. In the end he’d proved her wrong. She’d grown to respect and like him. So much so, she’d been willing to accept Kendell’s anger every time she brought up Byron’s name. Byron’s always dating someone from the high society group was the only reason Kendell didn’t believe he really was a threat.

  Lilah came bounding out of the school in her blue plaid uniform, a bright smile on her young face and her best friend, Julie, by her side. Zoe’s heart squeezed with love and a fierce protectiveness every time she saw her daughter. Lilah’s dark skin, wide, expressive eyes and ready smile was evidence Zoe had given her child a better life than she’d had. Lilah wouldn’t grow up fearing what type of shitstorm she’d walk into whenever she went home. She’d be confident, know her self-worth and what love wasn’t, so she’d never become prey to a man like Kendell.

  Lilah spotted Zoe in the SUV and waved. She said something to her friend, and they laughed and hugged before Lilah jogged over to the car. Her long, dark braids swung around her shoulders. A boy stopped Lilah on her way to the car. He said something that made her daughter light up like a Christmas tree before giving her a small envelope and walking off.

  Zoe’s brows drew together. At thirteen, Lilah was definitely at the interested-in-boys stage of her development. That boy, T.J. Dawkins, was the one who garnered all of her daughter’s attention. Lilah hadn’t claimed T.J. as her boyfriend, but Zoe feared the declaration was coming soon.

  God, I’m not ready for that.

  Lilah pushed a few braids behind her ear and watched T.J. walk away for a second before continuing to the car. Zoe cleared up her frown and greeted Lilah with a smile and a kiss as she got in the car.