Scandalous Secrets

by Synithia Williams

  “I’m okay.”

  He relaxed and nodded. “Good.” He glanced away and scrunched his nose.

  Zoe’s eyes narrowed at his nervous tick. “What else?”

  He waved a hand. “Nothing.”

  She raised a brow. “You know I can tell when you have something to say, right? Just spill it.”

  He shrugged before glancing at her. “We can set aside rooms just for you and Lilah. That way you won’t have to worry about finding a hotel whenever you visit.”

  Zoe shook her head before he even started. “No, Byron, that’s not necessary. Besides, I don’t plan to be up here a lot.”

  “Then it’s not that big of a deal. Besides, the least we can do is give you a place to stay. Plus, after the announcement the safest place for you and Lilah when visiting—” her eyes narrowed and he held up a hand “—if you visit, is here at the estate.”

  She wanted to argue against it, but again the suggestion made sense. She didn’t plan to come up often. Once the announcement was made, she wouldn’t need to visit much. She ignored the small voice whispering in the back of her head that staying at the estate would mean more time with Byron like this.

  He doesn’t live here. Stop fantasizing and focus on what’s important.

  “I’m good as long as we both agree to keep Lilah out of the limelight as much as possible,” she said firmly. “If we do this it doesn’t mean you or your family can dictate what we do with our lives. We’re only a family on paper. Not in reality.”

  Disappointment flickered across his face before he nodded and held out his hand. “Agreed. This benefits us both. That’s the best way to move forward and keep things clear.”

  Zoe slid her hand into his. Ignored the heat generated by his touch, and the question in her brain of whether or not Byron needed the reminder to keep distance between them as much as she did. “Agreed.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  BYRON WAS FINISHING his Monday morning planning meeting with the volunteers at his campaign office when Travis and India strolled through the door. His body tensed. India gave him a shy smile. Travis watched him with a steady, confident gaze. Byron looked away from them back to the volunteers gathered around him.

  “That’s all for now, everyone. Thank you again for your support. I couldn’t be here if it wasn’t for your support and belief in me. I won’t let you down. The time is now.”

  “The time is now!” the group chanted back. They clapped and cheered.

  Byron smiled and answered some of the specific questions his lead volunteers had. In his periphery he watched Travis and India talk to some people in the office. The family hadn’t told anyone about the elopement. He didn’t hear any exuberant congratulations, so he assumed they’d been smart enough to hold out on sharing their happy news.

  After giving the last bit of directions, Byron met his sister’s and friend’s gazes. He stiffly nodded toward his office and went inside without waiting for a response. He leaned against his desk and crossed his arms as he waited for them to enter. India came in first, her gaze wary as she watched him. Travis followed and closed the door behind him.

  Travis stood next to India and placed an arm around her shoulder. India looked relaxed and content, as if they were just back in town from a weeklong vacation instead of a whirlwind elopement. Her yellow blouse and cream-colored pants as bright as the sparkle in her eye. Travis appeared equally stress-free in a tan shirt and dark pants. Maybe love had that type of effect on people.

  His sister leaned into Travis’s side. They were a united front. Prepared to handle any hits the family threw at them. Byron had to admire their commitment. A small seed of envy sprouted in his stomach. He and Yolanda would always be a team, but they’d never have the emotion underneath that India and Travis had.

  “The happy couple has returned,” Byron said after a few seconds of tense silence.

  India bit the corner of her lower lip. “Byron, you only asked us to wait until the primary was over.”

  “I did.” He rubbed his jaw. His beard was getting thick. He’d have to shave it off soon or else Yolanda would shave it herself. “I didn’t think that meant you’d run out during my primary party and elope to Vegas. I thought you’d believe me when I said I supported your relationship. I thought you’d understand I’d be willing to stand beside you and show everyone how happy I am to see my baby sister and best friend engaged.”

  “We knew that,” India explained.

  “If you knew that then why did you run off and get married in secret? Why would you two disappear and make it look as if the family wouldn’t be supportive? Why elope and make it a potential scandal to manage?”

  Travis’s body stilled. They were equal in height, but Travis was lean and sleek. His stare was direct when he answered Byron. “This wasn’t about you, your family, or any of your expectations.”

  Byron straightened. “Obviously not. You didn’t give a damn about how this played out.”

  “No. We didn’t,” Travis said, unapologetic. “I still don’t give a damn how this plays out. You’re my closest friend, and I’ll always have your back, but when it comes to my life and what makes me happy, I’m not going to let another Robidoux tell me how to live or what steps I can and cannot take.”

  “I don’t want to tell you how to live or what steps to take,” Byron argued. “I didn’t give either of you grief about being together. I stepped up for both of you. I want you to be happy. The least you could have done was talk to me. Tell me what you planned. You could have gotten married alone in Vegas if that’s what you really wanted, but shit, Travis, I’m your friend. You didn’t have to hide this.”

  India placed a hand on Travis’s chest before stepping forward. “We weren’t trying to hide it. And, yes, we should have said something. But Byron, we love each other. We didn’t want to wait another minute. We respected you and the family and kept quiet as promised. I know we hurt you, and I’m sorry about that, but please understand we never meant to make things harder on your campaign.”

  Byron looked into India’s pleading eyes and sighed. One of the problems with being angry with India was that he couldn’t stay mad at her for long. The tension eased out of his neck and shoulders.

  Byron moved closer and placed a hand on India’s shoulder. “Next time, will you come to me first? Don’t spring any more surprises, okay?”

  India beamed and hugged him. “No more surprises.”

  Byron couldn’t possibly not smile back when faced with his baby sister’s pleasure. He hugged her back. After they broke apart, he held out his hand and shook Travis’s.

  “We good?” Travis asked.

  Byron was still irritated, but he wasn’t willing to toss out a long-standing friendship over this. He couldn’t blame Travis for seizing an opportunity to be happy. He held out a hand. “We’re good.”

  Travis shook his hand. “And there won’t be a next time.” He reached out and pulled India back to his side. “No more marriages for me. I’ve found my forever wife.”

  India practically melted into Travis’s embrace. The seed of envy grew and spread through Byron’s gut. “Okay, I support you guys, but can you please save the hugging and kissing for when I’m not around?”

  India pointed a finger at him. “Hey, you never bothered to hide the hugging and kissing you did with the women you dated.”

  Byron put a finger in front of his lips. “Shh, we’re not talking about that anymore. I’m a settled man. Getting married.”

  India’s eyes dimmed. “How is Yolanda?”

  Byron tried not to let his sister’s displeasure with his engagement add fertilizer to the envy growing in his stomach. India had gotten lucky and found someone she could not only love but also trust. Everyone wasn’t destined to find that.

  I’m in love with you, Zoe.

  No, you aren’t. Don’t be ridiculous.

 
; He pushed the old memory aside. His dad was right about Zoe. He had something safe with Yolanda. He cared about and admired her. They made a great team. She knew what she wanted. His grandparents had started with the same foundation and found love. Maybe not the fairy-tale love, but a practical love had been the backbone of their family.

  “Yolanda is great,” Byron said, infusing his voice with confidence. “She even took the latest development in stride.”

  “Latest development?” Travis asked. “You mean us?”

  Byron shook his head. “I wish your engagement was the only unexpected thing that would have happened the night of my primary win.”

  India’s eyes widened. “What happened?”

  Byron glanced at the door and window. He trusted his volunteers, but he wasn’t going to spill this information until the press conference on Friday. They’d chosen to formally announce everything at the last minute. No preparing the press or giving Carlton time to spill the information before Byron’s camp did.

  “A discussion for later at the estate,” Byron said. India’s eyes narrowed. He saw the argument forming on her lips. Byron leaned in and said softly in her ear, “You’re an aunt.”

  Her jaw dropped. “What the hell does that mean?”

  There was a quick rap on his office door before it swung open. Elaina strolled into the room not bothering to look up from the paper in her hand. “Byron, I’ve got some ideas about Friday. I do not like this news release.”

  She saw India and Travis and froze. She meticulously folded the paper and held it primly in front of her. “Oh, welcome back.” Her voice was calm, friendly, even to people who didn’t know her well.

  Byron noticed the way her hand clenched the paper. Her hard swallow and the long breath in and out through her nose. Elaina had accepted that Travis and India were in love, but Byron wasn’t convinced she liked it very much.

  “India and Travis just got back in town,” Byron said. “They came by to make sure things were okay with the campaign and the family.” Byron watched Elaina closely as he talked. Elaina didn’t show her emotions often, unless she was irritated or angry, but he’d learned how to read her. She deflected, methodically showed no facial expressions, or froze over more whenever she was upset.

  “Why would there be anything wrong with the family or the campaign?” Elaina asked in a light tone. “The only thing that happened was my baby sister ran off and eloped with my ex-husband. It’s not as if running off would make it appear as if they had something to hide.” She smiled sweetly at India and Travis. “Does it?”

  India’s back straightened. “We don’t have anything to hide. We just didn’t want our wedding to be a big Robidoux family production.”

  Elaina nodded. “Understandable. You never were one for big productions.” She turned her gaze to Byron. “Can I talk to you alone, please? I have something important to go over with you.”

  India stepped forward before Byron could answer. “Is it something we can’t hear?”

  Byron wasn’t sure it was possible, but Elaina’s expression became even more bland. The calm, unfeeling expression of a doll. “It’s something related to one of our holding companies that is still confidential. While I appreciate your interest, you don’t work for our company and therefore, it would be inappropriate for you to be involved in the conversation. Byron, on the other hand, still occasionally offers legal advice.”

  Elaina delivered her speech in a perfectly calm and rational tone of voice. Yet, Byron felt the cut. India’s lips tightened but she nodded stiffly. Travis wrapped an arm around India’s shoulder.

  “Let’s leave so they can talk,” Travis said.

  They walked toward the door. Elaina stepped out of their way. India stopped in front of Elaina. When she opened her mouth to say something Elaina held up a hand.

  “I’ll see you at the house later. Both of you. We have to toast your marriage.” Elaina’s voice was bright and brittle.

  India relaxed and smiled. “I’d like that.” She glanced back at Byron. “And hear the you’re an aunt story?” She raised a brow, then she and Travis left.

  “You told her already?” Elaina asked as soon as the door closed behind India and Travis.

  “No, I’m waiting until we’re away from the office.” He sat in the chair in front of his desk and pointed toward the door. “I thought you were okay with her and Travis?”

  Elaina hadn’t given any indication previously that she was going to cause problems with India and Travis’s relationship. She’d been remarkably low-key about the entire situation ever since the big reveal and subsequent fallout. Byron shouldn’t have assumed her outward behavior was the truth.

  With a sigh, Elaina gracefully sat in the chair next to him. “I am okay with them being together, but can I at least get a bit of a grace period with accepting the elopement and marriage?”

  Her lips pursed in a slight pout. She felt comfortable again. He hadn’t appreciated before how much more of herself she showed when the two of them were alone. Not enough for him to say he knew her deepest secrets, but more than she relaxed around anyone else in the family.

  Byron placed a hand over hers that still clutched the sheet of paper. “Are you going to be okay?”

  Elaina pushed back her bangs and smoothed her ponytail. “I am okay.” Anyone looking at her would believe her. Her tan suit was impeccable, her back straight. Byron squeezed gently and she met his eyes. Her hand loosened its death grip and she patted his with her other. With another deep breath, Elaina relaxed before pulling away. “Now, can we get to the reason I came here?”

  Deciding not to push, he twisted his wrist in a “go on” gesture. “Please. In fact, it would be great to hear about something not related to the challenges my campaign faces.”

  He hadn’t heard from Zoe since she left, but he’d thought about her too many times since. Roy offered to handle communicating with her before the press conference. Byron agreed. His schedule was busy and there were a lot of appearances he needed to prepare for, but that didn’t keep his mind from wandering to Zoe dozens of times in an hour.

  “I’m coming to you because my next steps may be considered a slight challenge to your campaign.”

  Byron groaned. “Come on, Elaina. Please don’t add to the already huge mountain I have to climb.”

  “Calm down. I’m just giving you a heads-up. I doubt it’ll be a problem, but I’d rather you know in case someone asks a question.”

  “What are you doing? You said it had to do with one of our holdings?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “That was just to get rid of India and Travis. Daddy is letting me acquire businesses we have a major stake in under one holding company. We don’t exactly see eye to eye about which companies should be a part of Robidoux Holdings, but our disagreements have been manageable. So far. I came here because I’m thinking of purchasing a business.”

  He waited for her to elaborate, but Elaina just watched him as if that was enough of an explanation. Suppressing a sigh, Byron settled back in his chair. “What business?”

  “A production facility.” She held up a hand. “And before you ask, I’m not telling you what kind until I’m sure if I want to buy it or not.”

  “That doesn’t sound like it would be a problem for me.”

  “It shouldn’t, but there may be pushback if I purchase. Which is why I’m telling you now.”

  “Are you about to buy some company and put hundreds of workers out of business?” He’d like to think Elaina wouldn’t be so coldhearted, but he’d lived with her for over thirty years. She would be that ruthless.

  Elaina rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Byron, don’t be dramatic. If I do this, I’ll be taking a business that still has viability and making it profitable again. No massive layoffs required. Later, if it makes sense, I might consider bringing it under the fold of Robidoux Holdings.”

 
Byron studied his sister. Outwardly, she was calm and collected, but her eyes were hard and serious. Bringing all of the companies the family had invested in under one holding company wasn’t easy, but Byron couldn’t imagine anyone but Elaina doing so. He’d figured this was another way for her to increase the power of the company she would ultimately take over one day. He didn’t understand her need to start something separate.

  He leaned against the desk and crossed his arms. “Why?”

  “Because I can,” she said, enunciating each word. Byron held up his hands. Elaina did things her own way, and typically for a good reason.

  Her lips lifted in a small but pleased smile. “Fine. Knowing Daddy, he’ll get annoyed and say I’m not focused on Robdioux Tobacco or Robidoux Holdings, but he won’t put up much of a fight. He’ll want to keep any potential family squabbles out of the news. I doubt anyone on the political circuit will care about me buying a company, but you never know. I’m telling you now ahead of time, because I love you and expect for you to be on my side.”

  Byron chuckled. “Why wouldn’t I be on your side?”

  “Lately it seems as if nothing is going my way. I’m not going to assume anything,” she said drily.

  Elaina could be cold, calculating and mean, but she loved him and the rest of their family. She’d nursed him when he’d gotten the flu in high school and their parents were away, fought a kid who’d dared bully her baby brother in middle school, and told him to grow a pair when he’d been heartbroken after Zoe left. She always had his back and he’d always have hers.

  “If you want it, buy the business. I’ll support whatever you do.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  ZOE WALKED INTO Miranda’s office Monday morning with the report she’d requested in hand. She’d busted her tail to compile the information before going out of town Friday and had stayed up most of the night polishing it after driving back from Jackson Falls. Everything in her life was on the verge of being shaken up. She needed one thing to go right. She wanted this promotion. Not just to keep her daughter in school and safe, but because this job was the reason she’d been able to give Lilah a stable home. She needed her own stability knowing she was about to walk into the whirlwind of a political campaign.