by Terra Little
She bit her bottom lip. Laurent’s daddy was telling her to back off his son. “Sir, I’m well aware that Laurent won’t be staying in Danville.”
Mr. Martin smiled and clasped his hands together. “Good, we have an understanding. In the next couple of days we’ll be closing this deal, and I’d appreciate it if you could manage to stay away from Laurent during that time. He works better without the distraction.”
He walked toward the library door, and Tracee was too flabbergasted to open her mouth. She just stood there with her arms crossed and her heart breaking.
Mr. Martin opened the doors before turning back to Tracee. “Ms. Coleman, it was a pleasure meeting you. As I said, you are a lovely young lady, and I hope we have an understanding?” He smiled like a Cheshire cat, waiting on her to answer him.
All Tracee could do was nod her head.
“Good, and I’ll see myself out, thank you.”
He left, and she wanted to run and slam the door behind him. She wanted him to get the hell out of there and never come back.
* * *
Tracee still stood in the same spot minutes later when Kyla and Corra walked into the library. She couldn’t move. Her conversation with Mr. Martin had stunned her.
“Tracee, you okay?” Kyla asked as she touched Tracee’s shoulder.
“What did he want?” Corra asked.
Tracee closed her eyes; she could see Laurent lying in her bed and feel his arms around her as she cuddled up next to him. He always kissed the top of her head, and she thought that was the most romantic thing. But did he do that with every woman? His father said he was sought after. Did that mean he had lots of girlfriends in California?
“Snap out of it, girl,” Kyla said with a snap of her fingers in Tracee’s face.
Tracee blinked and looked at her little sister, who’d taken off her costume and put her khakis and polo shirt back on, the Coleman House Farm uniform. She was waving her hand in Tracee’s face. Tracee swatted at Kyla’s hand. “Get your hand out of my face.”
“Well, what the hell happened? You’re standing here looking crazy and he just took off. What did he say? What did he want?” Kyla asked.
“He wants me to stay away from his son, that’s what he wants.”
“Say what?” Corra asked.
The stunned looks on her family’s faces summed up Tracee’s own feelings. She still couldn’t believe that man came into town, then drove out there, all to ask her to stay away from Laurent. He could have done that shit over the phone. How did he even know they had been seeing one another? Had Laurent told him about her?
“Who does he think his son is?” Kyla asked.
Tracee took a few steps back and sat on the couch behind her. “He’s Laurent Martin, son of millionaire Thomas Martin, who’s the owner of Abelle, a five-star boutique hotel chain that caters to the wealthy. They have hotels in Canada, France, the US and Italy, too, I think.”
Kyla and Corra came to sit on the couch on either side of Tracee.
“No shit!” Corra said.
“Tracee, how long have you known that?” Kyla asked.
Tracee shrugged. “I found out when I was doing research on the Stephenson Group. I researched Martin Enterprises, too. Laurent never told me he worked in the family business. Not that it makes a difference, because now I’m in love with the guy. But after what his father just said to me, I don’t know that I’ll ever see him again.”
Corra leaned back and crossed her arms. “Okay, tell us everything he said. Nobody comes into my home and insults my family.”
Tracee fell back onto the couch and covered her eyes with her hands. “I should have taken off this suit before coming out into the lobby. He probably thinks I’m some type of a floozy or something. I made a bad first impression.”
Kyla pulled Tracee’s arms down. “Tracee, what did the man say?”
Tracee relived the worse fifteen minutes of her life to her family members. Afterward, Corra and Kyla were ready to find out where Mr. Martin was staying and ride over to give him a piece of their minds.
“I was right. Laurent used me. He can have any woman he wants—why would he be interested in me?” Tracee dropped her face into her palms again and felt sorry for herself for a few seconds.
“You mean, why wouldn’t he be interested in you?” Corra stood up. “Tracee, Laurent was lucky to have met you, and he knows it. Don’t listen to his father. I’ve seen you guys together, and believe me, he has strong feelings for you as well. And I don’t for one minute believe he used you.”
Kyla stood up, too. “Come on, Tracee, don’t let him get you down on yourself.”
Tracee dropped her hands and leaned back into the couch again. She took a deep breath and shook her head. “It’s not just him. Mae had to pull out of the business, I don’t know who Mr. Patel is going to sell the hotel to and Laurent and I had something like a fight the other night. I might not see him again anyway. Nothing is going right. Things should be coming together instead of falling apart.”
Kyla and Corra flopped back down on the couch opposite Tracee for a group hug.
“I wish I’d known he was Laurent’s father when he walked in,” Corra said. “I’d have told him we were closed until hell freezes over.”
Tracee looked at Corra, who rolled her eyes, and the three of them burst out laughing.
Chapter 17
Laurent spent most of Thursday morning on his cell phone. He’d neglected a few of his ongoing projects and had to put in the time to make sure they weren’t totally going south. Through conference calls, his direct reports had kept him on top of anything critical, but some issues he had to attend to himself. For now, a phone call would have to suffice, but soon he’d have to get back to his life and his job.
He was deep in thought when his brother Marquis called.
“The old man told me he was going to Lexington on business, but I know a line when I hear one. How’s it going?” Marquis asked.
“He has his way of doing things, and I have mine. He’s getting in my way. Yesterday he insisted on a meeting with Mr. Patel, only to make me look like a fool. I had to sit there while he went on and on about Martin Enterprises’ esteemed reputation.”
Marquis’s robust laughter came through the phone and Laurent shook his head, smiling to himself. “Man, you should have been here. He put on a show.”
“Relax, little bro, you know that’s how he is. I can see him with his chest poked out now. Martin Enterprises hotels have been awarded five stars by Forbes Travel Guide, Business Insider and every other important publication in the world. We offer experiences, not just a room to sleep in.”
Laurent sat back in his hotel chair, laughing at the way Marquis had his father down to a tee. “Man, I think you were there.”
“I’ve been there enough,” Marquis answered.
“Well, for what it’s worth, I believe he impressed Mr. Patel’s sons, if no one else. He’s staying in Lexington, thank goodness. After the meeting he said his wife is dragging him to some function there.”
“Maybe that’s the business he had to attend to. If you’re lucky he’ll stay in Lexington and let you handle your business. What happened with the information I gave you?”
“Yeah, we need to talk about that. I’m gonna need someone who can corroborate those findings.”
Marquis made a sucking-air-through-his-teeth sound. “Not sure if I can do that, little bro.”
“Yes, you can. You’re a Martin, and we make the impossible possible. And I need contact information before tomorrow.”
“What?” Marquis asked, raising his voice.
“This deal is mine, and it’s going down tomorrow. The old man wants me to play hardball, so that’s what I’m going to do. You’ve got about eighteen hours to get back with me.”
Marquis let out a deep breath. “Stay by the phone. I’ll
see what I can do.”
“Thanks, bro. I’m nothing without you—you know that, don’t you?”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Butter me up. You know I’ve got your back.”
Laurent hung up, eager to add an addendum to his deal before his last meeting with Mr. Patel. He needed a yes from the old man. He had big plans for the hotel that he hadn’t shared with anyone, and walking away wasn’t a part of his plan.
* * *
Laurent worked until his eyes blurred from staring at his laptop screen. He sat back to take a break when he realized he hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast and it was past dinnertime. He leaned back and stretched, trying to figure out what he wanted to eat tonight. He could go for anything besides pizza. He closed his computer, disconnected his cell phone from the charger and grabbed the Elantra’s keys.
He drove through town trying to decide on a restaurant. The urge to pick up the phone and ask Tracee to have dinner with him was strong, but he fought it. She was upset with him, and he knew he needed to give her a little time. He’d have to pick something out himself. He pulled into the nearest Speedway gas station to fill the tank. About the only thing he did like about the rental was the gas mileage. This was his first fill-up since arriving.
His mind wandered back to Tracee as he pumped the gas. He hadn’t noticed a truck pulling up across from him until he heard someone call his name.
“Laurent?”
He turned to see a young woman close the truck door and walk over toward him. A sign on the side of the truck read Coleman House Farm. Then he recognized the face. “Hey, you’re Tracee’s sister, Kyla, right?”
She stopped at the trunk of his rental. “Yes, I am.”
The gas handle clicked, and Laurent turned around to top it off at an even amount. The way Tracee’s sister’s eyes were narrowed and she crossed her arms over her chest, he had a feeling this wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation.
“It’s nice to see you again,” he said as he waited for his receipt.
“When’s the last time you spoke to Tracee?” she asked.
Laurent pocketed his receipt and joined her at the trunk of his car. She looked like she was about to drill him about something.
“Tuesday night, why?”
“Did you know your father stopped by the bed-and-breakfast yesterday?” she asked as she leaned against the trunk of the Elantra.
Laurent’s brows rose as he took a step back. Impossible. “My father?” he asked in disbelief.
She nodded. “Yes, Mr. Thomas Martin.”
Laurent felt his heartbeat increase along with a ripple of anger that ran through him. No, Dad wouldn’t do that. Why would he do that? His father had returned to Lexington after the meeting yesterday, or so he thought. “Did he say what he wanted?”
“He came to speak to Tracee.”
His chest muscles tightened. His father had spoken to Mr. Patel and his sons, who’d undoubtedly told him about his relationship with Tracee.
“What did he say to her?” Now he leaned against the Elantra.
“Let’s just say he wasn’t so nice. He accused her of costing you a deal that stood to be worth millions, I believe.”
Laurent lowered and shook his head. Damn, how could he! He didn’t know what had gotten into his father lately. It wasn’t like him to show up and interfere with Laurent’s deal, and it definitely wasn’t like him to seek out Tracee in that way. “That’s not true, you know?”
“I didn’t think so. But he tried to sell it. Right before he asked her to stay away from you in order for you to complete the deal.”
What the hell! His father was sticking his nose somewhere it didn’t belong.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He flew in yesterday for a quick meeting. He had no business bringing Tracee into this. I guess she’s upset with me now, huh?”
Kyla nodded. “I’d say so. I didn’t hear what your father said, but he upset my sister something awful.”
“Damn.” Laurent had to get that man on the next flight back to California. “I’ll talk to him, and I promise you it won’t ever happen again. I apologize on his behalf. He’s just a little hyped about this deal, that’s all. I’ll reach out to Tracee.”
Kyla pulled away from the car. “I don’t know you, really, but do know that Tracee has strong feelings for you. So strong that your dad really got under her skin.”
Laurent’s heartbeat pounded in his chest as he also pushed away from the car. The anger inside him was building so, he wanted to strangle his father. “Thank you, Kyla.”
Another car pulled up behind Laurent, waiting for him to move since all the other pumps were full.
Kyla took a few steps backward. “Whatever you do, don’t hurt my sister. She deserves a good man.”
He nodded. “I know, and I have no intentions of hurting her.”
Kyla turned around and went to fill up the truck. Laurent climbed in the car and took off. Now he wanted to see Tracee. He needed to talk to her and make everything all right again. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed her number. The call went straight to voice mail. He didn’t want to, but he left a message asking her to call him as soon as she could. But something told him he wouldn’t get a call back. Then he dialed his father. He answered on the first ring.
“Hello, and I know why you’re calling,” Thomas Martin said in a commanding tone.
Laurent ignored his father’s “you know I’m the father” voice. “What kind of game are you playing with me? You give me this deal, then you interfere in the worst way possible. What did you say to Tracee?”
“See, I was right. She is the problem. Son, don’t let a woman open your nose so wide you can’t focus on the business at hand. I sent you down here to close a very important deal.”
“Where are you?” Laurent didn’t want to hear another word from his father. He only wanted him gone.
“We’re in Lexington.”
“At what hotel?”
“Laurent, I’ll be back in the morning.”
“No, you won’t. I’m on my way there now. We need to talk.”
Instead of finding a local dinner spot, Laurent hit the highway headed to Lexington, thirty minutes away. He needed to sit down with his father and put an end to his meddling. Having Thomas Martin step in at closing for any other deal would be a feather in his cap, but not this one. His father had promised him this hotel if he could close the deal, and that was exactly what he was going to do. After handling his father, he would have to make amends with Tracee. He wasn’t about to let her, and the deal, slip from his grasp.
* * *
Friday morning after his run, Laurent showered and dressed for his 11:00 a.m. meeting with the Patels. Thomas Martin and his wife were on a flight back to California. Marquis had come through late yesterday with the name and number of a businessman who could corroborate his findings regarding the Stephenson Group. Before Laurent left Lexington, he’d met a gentleman eager to provide all the information he needed.
He placed a quick call to a local florist and had a dozen red roses sent to Tracee at the Coleman House, where he knew she’d be this morning. Then he sat down to send her a text message and attached the perfect song, “Get You” by Daniel Caesar. Music was how he expressed himself, and with this song she’d know how he felt.
He needed to talk to her, and he would after he’d taken care of his business. He hadn’t gotten much sleep last night, unable to get Tracee off his mind. Whatever move he made next, he wanted her to be a part of it. Whether he purchased the hotel or not, he didn’t want his relationship with her to end. He wanted them to take it to the next level.
At 11:00 a.m. Laurent walked into the conference room at the Rival Hotel with the confidence of his father, his brothers and the entire Martin Enterprises team at his back. No matter what, he was his father’s son, and this was w
hat he did best.
Thirty minutes into the meeting, Laurent had Mr. Patel eating out of his hand. He detailed his assurances that the current staff could stay on after renovations, if they so desired. He’d noted that the established community involvement aspect of the hotel was intact, along with an added outreach to the local college offering a place for returning graduates and visiting parents, as well as people doing business locally.
“I’m also aware that before you decided to sell, you were going to lease the space downstairs to Tracee’s Cake World. I want to give her that lease alongside a small jazz café that I plan to open.”
For once, Mr. Patel didn’t look at his sons with dissatisfaction. Instead, he smiled at Laurent and gave him an assuring nod. “I think time has shown you what this place means to me. And I appreciate you going the extra mile.”
“Thank you, sir. I also have someone I’d like you to speak with.” He pulled out his cell phone. “You were skeptical about the information I gave you regarding the Stephenson Group, so I reached out to the former owner of Hotel VanDee in Lexington. Mr. Robert VanDee would like to share some information with you.”
“Didn’t they sell that property a few years ago and reopen under another name?” Raji asked.
Laurent shook his head. “No, but I’ll let Mr. VanDee explain why.” He FaceTimed with Mr. VanDee, who explained how the Stephenson Group had purchased his hotel, only to tear it down and build another business—after promising to renovate and keep him on as a consultant. Laurent let Mr. Patel and Mr. VanDee talk before ending the call.
Afterward, he left the family to talk among themselves. While he waited, he walked down to the lobby and dialed Tracee’s number. The call went straight to voice mail again, and he left another message. “Hey, Tracee, I need to talk to you when you have a few minutes. I ran into your sister yesterday and... I’m real sorry about what happened. I don’t know how to explain my father’s behavior, but I’m going to try. I hope you got the song I sent you. I’ll talk to you later.” He hung up, shaking his head.