Foolish Hearts

by Synithia Williams

  Ashiya sat back in her chair. Coddling was not what she’d get from Elaina. Still, she wasn’t ready to hear confidence from her cousin. It’s why she’d come to Elaina. If anyone didn’t believe Ashiya could handle things, it would be Elaina.

  “I still need a mentor or guide. I don’t trust my dad’s family to help me out.”

  “I agree with that. But you know I can’t leave Robidoux Holdings right now. It’s why I’ve found a solution.”

  The phone rang on Elaina’s desk. She stood, walked over and picked up. “Yes. Good. Let him in.”

  “Who’s that?” Ashiya asked.

  “Your help,” Elaina said with a sly smile.

  Ashiya turned to the door as it opened, and Russell walked in looking like a CEO centerfold in a dark blue suit that fit his broad shoulders perfectly. Ashiya’s heart flipped in her chest, and she fought hard not to sigh. Damn, she had it bad for this guy. She’d been so stupid to toss back everything he’d offered her.

  Russell glanced from Elaina to Ashiya sitting in one of the chairs. “I didn’t know you had someone here. I can come back.”

  Elaina shook her head. “No, come in. This is why I called you over.”

  Ashiya stood. “Don’t worry, Elaina. I already spoke to Russell, and it would be unfair to pull him away from Robidoux Holdings, too.”

  Eliana shot her an irritated look. “I’m his boss, so I know what he has time for. Plus, helping you helps the family.”

  “Still, I wouldn’t feel right working with him... I mean, pulling him away. I know you can’t leave the company, but if you can at least be willing to answer some of my calls if I have questions, I’m sure I can figure things out.”

  “Nonsense,” Elaina shot back. “There is no way I’m watching you go to Hilton Head by yourself and get eaten alive by your father’s family. You need someone there who we all can trust. I trust Russell.”

  Ashiya’s cheeks heated. Great, now Elaina had spoken out loud about how much help she would need. Silly her to believe her embarrassment in front of Russell couldn’t be amplified.

  “Hilton Head?” Russell asked in a sharp voice.

  “Yes,” Elaina said. “I know I didn’t mention the travel part before, but Ashiya is going to have to be down there until she gets a handle on her role in the company. Of course, Robidoux Holdings will cover your travel and living expenses.”

  Ashiya shook her head. “It’s okay, Elaina, really. I’ll hire a business consultant to help out. Someone neutral to me and my dad’s family. Maybe you can give me a recommendation.”

  Russell turned and faced her fully. “No need. I’m willing to go with you and help out.”

  * * *

  ASHIYA COULDN’T STOP her jaw from dropping at Russell’s quick agreement. He’d been adamant at the party about not working with her. What in the hell changed in forty-eight hours?

  “You will?” she asked.

  “Of course, I will,” he said confidently, as if he hadn’t spent three years treating her like the enemy. “Elaina is right. Helping you helps Robidoux Holdings. Plus, a consultant may be useful, but no one will look out for your best interests in the same way we will.”

  Ashiya blinked several times. “But you said—”

  “I thought it over and realized I was too quick to disagree. I’m happy to help.”

  He smiled the smile that usually made her want to immediately slip out of her panties, but this time there was no warmth or desire in his eyes. Instead there was something else. Resignation, maybe. For some reason, she didn’t think his agreement had anything to do with wanting to help her.

  “Great,” Elaina said in a no-nonsense voice. “Why don’t you go to your office and talk about the plans. I’ve got a video conference in a few minutes.”

  Having effectively been dismissed by Elaina, Russell nodded. “Sure. Ashiya, follow me.”

  She nodded slowly. “Okay. Thanks Elaina.”

  “Of course. You’re family. I know Russell is the right person to help you.”

  Ashiya tried to smile but doubted she was successful. Elaina either didn’t notice or didn’t care. Ashiya followed Russell out of the office and down the hall. She expected him to get on the elevator to go to a lower level, but instead his office was a few doors down from Elaina’s in the executive suite.

  It was the first time she’d been to his office. His was similar to Elaina’s with the glass table, leather chairs, and sleek modern desk, but his was smaller, and pictures sat on his desk of his parents, along with one of a younger Russell with another young man who looked similar. His older brother, Rodrick. He’d mentioned his brother to her once when they were dating. That he’d gone missing and they were still trying to find out what happened to him.

  “Have a seat,” Russell said, pointing to one of the leather chairs.

  “Look, Russell, you really don’t have to do this. You made it pretty clear the other day that you don’t want to work with me. Don’t feel obligated to do this just because Elaina wants you to.”

  “I’m not doing this for Elaina.” He settled into one of the leather chairs and looked up at her. “I’ve got my own reasons.”

  Reasons like spending more time with her? Giving her a second chance? Realizing the two of them belonged together? Her heart loved all of those suggestions. Her brain, on the other hand, realized she was getting way ahead of herself when she noticed the frosty look in his eye.

  “What are those reasons?”

  “I need to go to Hilton Head. I would have asked Elaina for the time to travel there anyway. Since that’s where your family is, I decided she was more likely to be okay with me taking off for a while if I was going to help you.”

  The disappointment weighed heavily on her shoulders. She slowly sank into one of the chairs. “Oh. Do you mind if I ask what you’re going for?”

  “Personal reasons.”

  She watched and waited for more. Nothing came. She smiled and leaned to the side. “Personal like dating?” She went for teasing with her tone. He used to smile, and his eyes would go soft when she teased him.

  “Personal like personal,” he replied dryly, looking away from her. “What exactly are you expected to do as part of your grandmother’s company?”

  His swift cut and change of subject were brutal. She’d hurt him and knew she had no right to wish for his smiles again, but she was also stubborn as hell. He was going to help her and would be the only person in Hilton Head she knew well. That was enough for her to have some small spark of hope.

  “She was the majority shareholder in the company. She left all of those shares to me. My cousin is the chief financial officer, but my grandmother was still company president and chairman of the board. Now that I own all her shares, I’m automatically a member of the board. My great-aunts think my grandmother wanted me to step in and take over running things. My cousin and probably the entire board of directors doesn’t want me there.”

  “If you’re on the board, you don’t have to take an active part in running the company. You can sit back and let others handle things while your shares earn money.”

  “I could, but I don’t want to do that. If I’m that heavily invested, then I want to know what’s going on. If I sit back as a silent member, then that leaves the door open for others to plot and swap shares to outrank me, or worse, eventually push me out. I’ve got to show them that I’m not someone to be ignored.”

  “I’m surprised.”

  “Why?”

  He lifted a shoulder. “Because before you never wanted to be a part of the cutthroat world of corporate America. You said you stayed out of the fights at Robidoux Tobacco and opened your store to live life on your own terms. Now you’re ready to fight head-on with your father’s family for the same thing.”

  “I wasn’t going to take it, but when they said I couldn’t do it, I also couldn’t sit bac
k and let them win.”

  His wry smile made her heart flip. “I guess you are a Robidoux after all.”

  “I guess.” She met his eyes. “When we see something we want, we go after it. Even if it’s something we lost or let go of, once we realize the value, we’ll fight harder to get it back.”

  Her eyes didn’t waver. She wanted him to hear the double meaning. Wanted him to understand that no matter what might have happened or the mistakes she made, she wanted him back.

  Russell blinked and glanced away. “Just send me the information on your family’s company and when you plan to go back down.” His voice was brisk and dismissive, but she’d seen the spark of desire before he looked away.

  “I’m going at the end of the week,” she said.

  He nodded, rubbed his hands over his pants, then stood. “That works out for what I need to do as well.”

  Ashiya suppressed a smile and the spark of hope glowing hotter in her chest. He still felt something. He might not want to, but he did. As long as she knew there was something still there on his end, she wouldn’t give up. She would get him back, and this time she would keep him.

  She stood and held out her hand. “Thank you for your help, Russell.”

  His eyes darted to her hand and then back to her face. He reluctantly shook her hand. “You’re welcome.”

  When he tried to pull back, she tightened her hold. She took a step closer until the heat of his body brushed against hers. “I shouldn’t say it, but I am. I’m glad to have you back in my life, even if it’s just for professional reasons. Believe me when I say I won’t mess things up this time.”

  His eyes widened, and he stared back. She let his hand go, turned and walked out before he would come back with something that would challenge her confidence. Because at the moment, she felt pretty good about making Russell hers again.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  RUSSELL MANEUVERED HIS car through the picturesque streets on Hilton Head Island. He chuckled while talking to Isaac on the phone and listening to his cousin tell a story about his latest dramatic client. The client was driving Isaac up the wall with all of the ridiculous reasons he had for not making a decision about which house to buy.

  “Wait, so you’re telling me he ruled out the latest house because the bathroom was painted green?”

  “Yes! Bruh, this guy is about to make me lose my mind,” was Isaac’s frustrated reply.

  “How was I supposed to know green was his unlucky color? The house before, he said felt like it had cameras hidden. He’s wasting my time, and I’m about to cut him loose.”

  “Tell him you can’t meet his needs and move on.”

  “I should. The only reason I haven’t is that his budget is high. I can make a really good commission on this sale. Once I do that, then it’s easier to break into the more high-end houses.”

  “I get it. Still, know your limits. Don’t do everything just for the money.”

  Isaac sucked his teeth. “You’re one to talk. Remind me again where you’re headed and why?”

  Russell glared at the console where Isaac’s name was displayed. “Stop. You know why I’m here. I can’t get the police to give me any respect over the phone. If I’m here in person, I can put more pressure on the new detective to find out what happened to Rodrick.”

  “Alright, I hear you, but it doesn’t mean you have to help Ashiya while you’re down there. You could put pressure on the police without working with her.”

  Something Russell had reminded himself of a dozen times a day since agreeing to Elaina’s request. He’d made the trip to South Carolina every time a new detective was put on the case in the hopes that seeing a real life person still interested would spark some sort of motivation to find the truth. He’d convinced himself being here long-term helping Ashiya would give him the chance to check in with the detective frequently. He didn’t want to admit that the proximity to Ashiya had anything to do with his agreement.

  “I told you, Elaina said helping her is a way for me to prove my loyalty to her and the company.”

  Isaac grunted. “Whatever. You still like her.”

  “I don’t still like her,” Russell shot back, then cringed at the almost desperate plea to his voice.

  Isaac laughed. “Okay, I believe you.” He didn’t sound at all like he believed Russell.

  “Listen, doing this helps me with two major problems. I’ll get to prove my loyalty to Elaina and, and being here will hopefully put pressure on the police and find answers to what happened to my brother. Those are the only reasons I’m willing to work closely with Ashiya.”

  When Russell spoke to the new detective, he’d gotten the same runaround they’d given his parents. The detective promised to review the case file and get back to Russell if anything new came up. He hadn’t gotten off the phone confident about receiving any updates anytime soon. Coming to Hilton Head, was the best way to put pressure on the police department.

  “I hear you, bruh,” Isaac said, a little more serious than before. “We all want to know what happened to Rodrick. The fact that he disappeared without a trace on spring break and not one person from that party knew what happened to him is beyond fucked up. I know you’re trying to get answers.”

  “That’s all.”

  “But...”

  Russell sighed. “But what?”

  “But while you’re down there, you’re also going to be working close with Ashiya and no matter how much you want to pretend like you’re not interested in her, we both know you’re still feeling her. Just be careful if you start messing around with her again.”

  “I’m not going mess around with her or anything like that.”

  “Still,” Isaac warned. “We’ve all been there. We have good intentions to leave a woman alone, but when she’s got that fire...it’s hard to let go.”

  There was not a damn lie Russell could detect in that statement. His GPS directed him to take an upcoming turn. “Look I’m almost at the house. I’ll give you a call later this week after I learn more.”

  “No problem. Talk with you soon.”

  The call ended, and Russell thought about Isaac’s words while following the robotic instructions of his GPS. Ashiya not only had the fire, she was also the heat, fuel and oxygen. Her flirty personality, sexy voice, the way her body curved in all the places that made his mouth water. So much about her made him weak in the knees. He had to be careful working with her. Especially after the way she’d held on to his hand in the office.

  “I won’t mess things up this time.”

  Damn if her confidence wasn’t sexy. Knowing she wanted him was a turn-on as well. He shouldn’t follow up on where the part of him that still longed for her tempted him to go. When was going back to the person who’d broken your heart ever a good idea?

  He wanted her. He knew that. But what would make this time different from the last? Just because she was done with her ex, Stephen, didn’t mean a damn thing. Mind over body. He just had to remember to be smarter than his dick.

  A few minutes later, he arrived at the estate Ashiya had inherited from her grandmother. He’d agreed to meet her there before going to the condo Robidoux Holdings rented for him while he was in town. Her cousin, who currently ran the company, was coming by later that afternoon to update her on what was happening. Ashiya asked him to be there for the initial meeting.

  He rang the doorbell, and a few seconds later a Black woman with short natural hair wearing a light blue button-up shirt and black pants answered the door. Her brow furrowed as she quickly glanced him up and down.

  “Can I help you?” she asked in a clipped tone before looking over her shoulder.

  “Um, yeah. I’m here for Ashiya Waters.”

  The sound of raised voices drifted through the house. The woman glanced back at him. “She’s busy right now.” She moved back as if she were going to close the door in h
is face.

  Russell took a step forward and held up a hand. “She’s expecting me. I’m Russell Gilchrist.”

  The woman’s dark eyes narrowed on him as she gave him a confused look. Then the voices continued, and she sighed. “Russell who?”

  “Gilchrist. I’m working with her.”

  Her eyes widened, and she snapped her finger. “You’re the person helping her deal with the inheritance.” She reached over and grabbed his hand. “Good, because she needs you right now.” She jerked on his hand, hauling him in the house, and slammed the door behind Russell.

  Russell’s jaw dropped. He planted his feet firmly on the floor to stop her from pulling him farther. “What’s going on?”

  The woman stopped pulling but didn’t drop his hand. She let out an impatient sigh. “Her cousin is laying into her, and I don’t think she was ready for this.”

  The voices continued to come from the back of the house. Russell honed in on them. He couldn’t make out the words, but he could tell a man was berating someone. A woman’s voice jumped in but was quickly drowned out by the man’s. Russell’s heart thudded. That was Ashiya’s voice.

  He immediately hurried down the hall in the direction of the voices. What had she said? Ashiya’s cousin was laying into her? If he so much as laid a finger on Ashiya, he’d best be ready to lose his whole damn arm. A fierce protectiveness rushed through him and drove his footsteps down the hall. As he drew nearer, he was able to make out the words.

  “If you think you’re about to come down here and take over, then you’ve got another think coming. I refuse to stand by and watch you ruin this company.” The man’s voice was angry.

  “I have no intention of ruining anything,” Ashiya shot back in a firm but calm voice. “Obviously my grandmother wanted me to be involved. I will at least see how I can be of help—”

  “Don’t even pretend as if you care about your grandmother,” her cousin’s accusatory voice cut in. “You’re no better than your mom. Here to try and take everything.”

  “Don’t you dare talk about my—”