His grandmother sipped her sherry and looked him directly in the eye. “You’re going to have to learn the value of time once this scandal hits.”
Jared sat upright at her comment. “What are you talking about?”
“Mimi, a dear friend of mine who owns one of the Austin newspapers, gave me a call about an exclusive story hitting their paper tomorrow.”
“Oh yeah? What’s it about?” Jared brought his tumbler to his lips.
“Your brother knocking up an exotic dancer,” Ruth stated unceremoniously.
Jared’s drink sputtered from his lips. “Excuse me?”
“For Christ’s sake, Jared.” His grandmother rolled her eyes. “Clean yourself up.”
Jared jumped to his feet, swiftly walked to the bar and grabbed several napkins, then dabbed at his shirt. When he was finished, he returned to stand in front of his grandmother.
“Sit.”
Jared didn’t argue and sat down. “I don’t understand.”
“What I’ve told you is as much as I know,” she responded. “Chris has been MIA from Robinson Holdings the last week. He must have known the story was coming. But the worst part is he got the young woman pregnant. It’s a travesty. I had such high hopes for your brother, but I guess that leaves you.” Her eyes rested on him and Jared shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Chris has shown poor judgment. If he can’t manage his own love life, how can he be expected to run a billion-dollar real estate company? The answer is simple. He can’t.”
“Yes, he can,” Jared replied. “So what he got a girl pregnant? It happens. It’s not the end of the world. You’re making too much of this.”
“I disagree. Your grandfather and I worked too hard building up the business and our image as respectable stewards for our investors. We can’t allow your brother’s bad behavior to negatively impact the company. He’s out. And you’re in.”
“Me?” Jared couldn’t contain the disbelief in his tone. “You’ve got to be kidding. Chris has been groomed to run the company. He’s your man. Furthermore, I’m not interested.” He tipped back his glass, finished his drink and placed it on the cocktail table in front of him and stood.
“Sit down.” His grandmother’s voice rose.
“Grandma…”
“I said, sit down, Jared. I won’t repeat myself.”
Jared sighed, but did as she instructed. “I’m not cut out for this. I don’t know the first thing about running the company. I’m in marketing.”
“With the right people behind you, you’ll learn.”
“No.” Jared shook his head and pursed his lips. “I can’t do it.”
“You can and you will.” His grandmother stated unequivocally, dismissing his protest. “For too long, we’ve allowed you to monkey about, but no more. You will pick up the mantel like your father and brother before you.”
Jared hated being pushed into a corner and he certainly didn’t relish going up against the matriarch of their family, but what she was asking was ridiculous.
“You will start tomorrow.” Ruth spoke as if Jared’s taking Chris’s place was a foregone conclusion. “I’ve taken the liberty of requesting the files on Chris’s current acquisitions.” She rose to her feet and went to a side table containing a stack of files. She handed them to Jared. “Read them over tonight and we’ll talk in the morning.”
He stared at her incredulously. “You’re serious about this?”
“Of course. You should know me well enough to know when I make up my mind, it’s done.”
Jared did know and that was exactly what he was afraid of. He wasn’t cut out to run Robinson Holdings. He was good at being a ladies’ man and working when he felt like it, but this, this was too much. And he had no idea how to get out of it. God help them, because the business and their family were in for a bumpy ride.
When Jared made it to his penthouse after leaving his grandmother’s, his first call was to Chris. But it went straight to voice mail.
What was going on?
Chris’s silence was unusual. He never ignored Jared’s calls—usually because he was bailing Jared out of a mess of his own creation. But this was different. On his way home, Jared stopped by Chris’s usual spots—the gym, the office, a gentleman’s club he sometimes frequented—but nothing. Chris didn’t want to be found.
Jared couldn’t understand his brother giving away everything he’d worked so hard to earn. For what? A woman? They were interchangeable at best or had always been for Jared. He had never met a woman who made him want to risk it all for love. Because that’s exactly what Chris was doing. Their grandmother was ready to disinherit him for this stunt.
But this time, Jared was left holding the bag. Was this what it felt like when Jared went MIA after causing trouble? Now that the shoe was on the other foot, Jared was not pleased. He was used to Chris saving the day, but his grandmother was looking to him.
The responsibility she was putting on his shoulders was heavy and Jared felt the weight. He felt unsure. Unworthy. How could he ever live up to Chris? He couldn’t. He would have to prove his worth until he earned his grandmother’s respect, but it wouldn’t be easy. The question was whether he was up to the task.
Morgan curled up on the sofa in her hotel room with a tub of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream she’d picked up on her way back from the Stewart estate. She’d already consumed half a pizza and two beers and was doing her best to eat herself through her troubles.
The last week hadn’t been stellar. The only bright spot had been seeing Dane and Iris get married and ride off into the sunset. Maybe she’d been wrong in approaching Henry after the reception, but she’d thought confronting him in public would force his hand. Make him own up to the truth that he’d cheated on Nora and had a child with another woman.
Morgan hadn’t banked on Henry’s temper. Or that he would completely shut her out and refuse to acknowledge her existence. Even when confronted by his own children, who begged for the truth, Henry refused to admit it.
Maybe she was better off not having a father?
None of the men her mother ever brought into her life had been father material. They were interested in using Crystal only for their own pleasure. Morgan hated seeing her mother dependent on them and so desperate for attention she’d take it from anyone. Including him.
Morgan sank her spoon into the chunky mixture and kept eating as she recalled one of those men. Troy Wilkins had been one of her mother’s boyfriends. Often, he’d stay the night and when he did, Morgan locked her bedroom door. She’d hated him on sight. He was lean and wiry with ominous-looking eyes that were always roving over her. Morgan tried to steer clear, but one day when she’d come home from high school, he’d been at their apartment. Troy told her Crystal had gone to the grocery store.
Immediately Morgan invented an excuse and tried to make a quick exit, but Troy was faster than her. He’d slammed the front door and put the chain across, locking her inside with him. Morgan had been terrified and rightfully so. Troy told her it was time she was friendlier to him and had grabbed her by the arm and hauled Morgan into her bedroom.
He’d thrown her on the bed and covered her with his weight before she could move. She remembered the stale scent of cigarettes permeating his skin, the smell of alcohol on his breath. Then he was lifting her shirt up, palming her small breasts and rubbing his crotch against her. Morgan tried to fight him off, knowing if she didn’t, he would assault her, but he was too strong. His hands were reaching for the snap on her jeans when they both heard the door. Her mother was calling out to them.
“If you tell your mother, I’ll deny this ever happened. Who do you think she’ll believe?”
Morgan would never forget the look in his eye. That was when she’d known she couldn’t stay there. She’d had to get out. If she didn’t, he’d come
back and there would be no guarantee she’d be as lucky the next time. And so she’d run. She’d packed her meager belongings and left. She’d gone to her mom’s friend Marilyn, another dancer, and begged to sleep on her couch. Even though Marilyn had two kids of her own, it was better than living in fear.
Marilyn allowed Morgan to stay on the sofa so long as she cooked, cleaned and tended her two kids while Marilyn worked nights as a dancer. Morgan happily agreed. The funny thing about it was—Crystal hadn’t cared. She seemed happy to be rid of Morgan because she was cramping her style.
Somehow Morgan found a way to finish her senior year. Due to her good grades, she’d been able to attend the University of Southern California on a full scholarship.
When she thought about it, all her struggles were because both her parents refused to do right by her.
Morgan put down her ice cream on the cocktail table and reached for her iPad. Searching the web, she found the email for a local gossip blogger in Austin.
It was time one of her parents—Henry Stewart—paid the price.
Five
Jared, your father can’t come back. His health is still too tenuous.
Monday morning, as the elevator zoomed up to the top floor of the office building where Robinson Holdings was housed, Jared thought about his mother’s words from last night.
You’re going to have to put on your big boy pants and do what needs to be done, his father had said.
Jared rolled his eyes as he thought about his father’s condescending tone. He knew what a huge task it would be stepping into Chris’s shoes. But there didn’t seem to be anyone else to fill the role.
When the elevator chimed on the top floor, Jared exited wearing one of the many custom suits in his wardrobe. This time, however, he looked at everyone with new eyes. Instead of traipsing to his office for a few hours, he would be the decision maker. Many of these people depended on him. It was a scary position.
When he opened his office door, he was surprised to find his grandmother. She was dressed elegantly in a blazer over a silk shirt and trousers. “Grandmother, I didn’t expect you.”
She smiled, which was a rarity. “Since Clay’s health precludes him from being here and your wayward brother is off with some dancer, I’m here to give you some reinforcement.”
“I thought you’ve been retired from the business for years.”
“I’m still on the board and come in from time to time. Keeps the mind strong and a woman of my age young.”
“You don’t look a day over fifty.”
“No need to charm me, Jared. Leave that to the ladies whose hearts you have strewn across Austin.”
Jared clutched his chest with one hand. “Grandma, you wound me.”
“There’s a board of director’s meeting in an hour,” Ruth said sternly. “Let’s get down to business.”
Two hours later, Jared already wanted to throw in the towel. The board of directors meeting had been a free-for-all with many speculating about what would happen to the company now that their CEO had vanished for parts unknown. Then his grandmother dropped the bombshell that Jared was taking over as CEO in Chris’s absence. Many of the directors revolted. Some outright laughed and thought it was a joke.
“Jared doesn’t know the first thing about running this billion-dollar enterprise. He’s about fast cars and women,” one of the older board of directors scoffed.
“Jared may be green around the gills,” Ruth responded evenly, “but listen when I say this. A Robinson will always run Robinson Holdings.” Then she’d thrown them all for a loop when she’d said, “I’ll be on-site in an advisory capacity to assist.”
“You’re putting the company at risk,” another board member commented.
“I took a risk when I hired you, didn’t I?” his grandmother replied.
After that, the meeting had continued smoothly with Ruth steering the ship. Now they were back in his office talking next steps over coffee.
“As head of the company, you’ll need to keep your head low and avoid scandal. I don’t want a repeat of what happened with your brother.”
“I’m not Chris.” Jared kept his affairs discreet.
“Good. Because as you can see, the board is looking for leadership. Your reputation as a ladies’ man is well-known, which is why I think it’s time you found a wife.”
“I’m not ready for marriage, Grandmother. That’s not in the cards for me. Maybe in the future, but not now.”
She ignored him. “It would go a long way with the board embracing your leadership if you were settled.”
“Don’t you mean it would make you feel better?”
“Same difference.”
“Well, you needn’t worry because I already have a girlfriend.” Jeez. What possessed him to say that? Jared knew why. He was sick and tired of being compared to Chris. Although he loved his brother, he wasn’t incompetent.
His grandmother’s large brown eyes grew wide in amazement. “Why is this the first I’m hearing about her?”
“Because it’s new,” Jared continued with the lie. What choice did he have? He’d already put his foot in his mouth. “And the press are always scrutinizing me, so we’ve kept our relationship private.”
“I would like to meet her.”
“It’s too soon, Grandmother.”
“Rubbish. You’ll bring her over and introduce me.” Ruth pulled a file out of the many stacked on his desk. “Let’s get to work. You have a lunch meeting with a potential client Chris has been wooing and you need to be prepared.”
His grandmother might consider the matter closed, but Jared certainly didn’t. He didn’t have a girlfriend. Nor did he have any prospects. Most of the women in his phone were of the affair variety. They were not the kind of women you brought home to meet your grandma. He was going to have to do some fancy footwork because he needed a fake girlfriend pronto!
Morgan felt confident as she drove to the posh restaurant where she was meeting the blogger Ally Peters. She told herself she was doing the right thing. By exposing Henry Stewart as her father, he would no longer be able to hide. He would be forced to face the truth and confront the allegations. Could he ignore them? There was always that possibility. But from the little she’d heard about Nora Stewart, she was all about reputation. She wouldn’t abide having her family’s name smeared in the mud. So one way or another the truth would come out and Morgan would be vindicated.
But at what cost? an inner voice asked. Last night, Morgan had received calls and texts from Fallon and Ayden respectively. Both of them had offered olive branches and wanted to talk, but the time for talking was over. It was time for action. The press was already speculating about whether her story was true. Since Morgan rarely had her picture taken and wasn’t on social media, they couldn’t find a recent photo. She was thankful for some anonymity.
Morgan pulled her Honda up to the valet and hopped out. She’d dressed smartly for her lunch in a sophisticated striped dress that hit at the thigh along with some knee-high boots and her favorite fedora hat.
“I have a reservation with Ally Peters?” Morgan told the hostess.
“Right this way.” The statuesque blonde led her to a curved booth where the online gossip columnist was already seated. Her blog was extremely popular and had over two million followers.
“Morgan?” When she nodded, the redhead stood and air-kissed her. “Please have a seat. I already ordered some club soda. Hope you don’t mind?”
“No, that’s fine.”
“I’m so excited to hear you dish.” Ally rubbed her hands together with glee and a smile spread across her heart-shaped face. “You said you had a big reveal about a wealthy family here in Austin?”
“I do,” Morgan said, but stopped herself as the waitress appeared. After ordering a peach sangria, Morgan continued. “I’m hoping you can get the truth out there b
ecause I feel as if I’ve been silenced.”
“I hear you, girlfriend. And I’ve got an ear to listen.”
Morgan was leaning her head toward Ally when a familiar voice from a table several feet away stopped her cold. It couldn’t be. They’d met only once, but Morgan was certain she’d never forget the voice of the man she’d nearly gone to bed with. When he turned his head, Morgan caught sight of him.
Jared.
Morgan sucked in a deep breath. She would recognize that tall drink of water anywhere. Those bedroom eyes. The full, thick lips that had kissed her until sensations coursed through her, electrifying her entire being.
“Morgan, you were saying?” Ally interrupted her musings to bring her back to their conversation, but Morgan’s brain was mush.
Morgan couldn’t stop staring at Jared or pull her gaze away from his mouth, remembering how he’d plundered hers with it. Her mind was spinning. She never thought she’d see Jared again. What were the odds they’d ever run into each other again? It had to be fate or kismet or something.
Then Jared looked up and their eyes connected from across the room. His gaze held hers in a searing tether, causing a shiver to run down Morgan’s spine. His pupils were black and bottomless pools of ink and Morgan felt her cheeks getting hot. She blinked and broke the stare.
“Who are you ogling?” Ally turned to look across the room. Then she spun back around with a wide grin on her mouth. “Is something going on between you and Jared? Omigod, it would be sooo delicious. This morning, the newspapers had a story about his brother, Chris, running off with some stripper. And now this…”
“This is nothing,” Morgan said quickly—too quickly because Ally’s brow rose. “I was merely looking at an attractive man.”
“And he was staring right back at you. There’s a story there.”
“You’re mistaken. My story is about the…”
Morgan didn’t get to finish her statement because suddenly Jared was standing at their table. He looked as he had the night of the wedding, except today he was in a gray suit with a blue-and-white-striped tie. He was every bit the corporate tycoon, which she wouldn’t have guessed him to be.
Secrets of a Fake Fianc�e Page 4