by Bella Andre
At last, sunlight filtered in through her bedroom drapes. She dragged herself into the shower, doing her makeup and hair on autopilot. Though she’d barely eaten all weekend, her stomach was so badly twisted that she wasn’t the least bit hungry.
While Lola was in the shower, her mother called to let her know Moira was doing better this morning after a somewhat difficult weekend.
A renewed burst of fury hit Lola. Though she had a ton of work to take care of at her office—Monday mornings were always crazy-busy—it would have to wait.
Duncan owed Moira more than apologies and explanations, whatever those might be. He owed her money. He owed her powerful, influential contacts. He owed her everything he and his brother had promised when Moira had signed up to work with Brilliant Funds.
Lola was damn well going to make sure Duncan gave Moira absolutely everything she deserved!
She hadn’t thought Duncan was someone who would do whatever it took just to get richer. She’d thought he truly cared about trying to make the world a better place. She’d thought he had a heart. A soul.
But no. All he cared about was money.
And he clearly didn’t care who he harmed to get it.
She didn’t plan to stay overnight in Boston. She didn’t pack a bag. She was simply going to force him to agree to make it up to Moira financially, no matter what it took, and then she was going to get the hell away from him.
Lola was on the road when Cassie’s call came through her car’s phone system. She picked up, saying without preamble, “I’m going to Boston to confront the bastard and make him do what’s right for Moira.”
“I had a feeling you were going to do something like this,” Cassie said. “But you don’t need to do this alone, Lola. I can go with you.”
Lola had fallen for Duncan all on her own. Now, she needed to rip her love for him out of her heart by herself too. “Thanks, Cassie. But I’ve got this.”
“I know you do. You can do anything you set your mind to. But if you need backup for any reason, just call, and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I’m not going to let him get me down. But I am going to make sure that he does the right thing for once in his life.”
“I don’t envy him,” Cassie said. “You’re one tough cookie.”
“Damn straight I am!” Lola hoped her laugh sounded real. “Now go make some cookies of your own.”
Lola hung up, more determined than ever that this impromptu visit would get Duncan out of her system. Because if there was one thing she couldn’t stand, it was being a sad sack in everyone’s eyes. Since her experience dating Frank at eighteen, Lola had made sure to be tough enough that no one could hurt her. Though she’d made the mistake of softening for Duncan, she’d never make that mistake again.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Duncan’s red-eye flight back to Boston Friday night had been a blur of self-recrimination and guilt. By the time he walked into his house at three a.m., he’d realized it had never felt less like home. Though he could easily have purchased a much bigger house on more land, his home wasn’t ultramodern, nor was it a mini manor house like the ones his father and brother liked to live in. Duncan had simply wanted to create a comfortable home for himself, somewhere he could return to at the end of a long day in the office and let the stresses of his workday fall away. But compared to the Sullivan family home and Lola’s cottage, his own house felt empty and cold.
Devoid of family. Lacking energy.
And most of all, missing love.
He’d forced himself to go to bed even though he knew he wouldn’t sleep. He’d never be able to shake the memory of Lola’s horrified expression when he’d admitted to owning Brilliant Funds. He’d promised he wouldn’t hurt her. It killed him that he had. And as he lay in the darkness until Saturday morning finally dawned gray and drizzling, his mind continued to race, turning over one idea after another. How could he convince Lola that he hadn’t been lying when he’d said he was one of the good guys? That he loved her with all of his heart. And that he was a changed man from the one who had blindly trusted his brother.
Was there any plan that might work? Would Lola ever forgive him for the role he’d played in hurting Moira?
His gut clenched at the thought of Lola falling in love with someone else. A great guy who would make all her dreams come true. Duncan had wanted to be that guy. He had thought he was that guy.
There was something he could do, though. He could make amends to Moira by doing whatever it took to undo the destruction his brother had wrought.
After taking an ice-cold shower, he called Gail and asked her to rearrange today’s meetings for later in the week. Next, he let Anita know that he needed to take care of several unavoidable business matters this morning, so she should operate as he intended them to go on—with her as an equal partner.
His calls made, he opened his laptop and spent the rest of the weekend researching Moira’s business, making a comprehensive list of what he could do to help her, and preparing to call in every contact and favor he could on her behalf.
Throughout the weekend, the family tree he’d been making for Lola seemed to mock him from the drafting table. A week ago, he’d been so full of hope, so sure that his luck had finally turned.
How wrong he’d been.
After forty-eight hours of little to no sleep, though his limbs felt like they were made of lead, he put on a suit Monday morning and headed out to chase down every lead on his list. Duncan was determined to make a positive difference on Moira’s behalf.
Even if it never changed the way Lola saw him.
And even if she still hated him forever.
* * *
Lola had always liked visiting Boston. Though she wouldn’t have wanted to live in the big city, it was always a fun rush to absorb the energy all around her for the day. But this afternoon, she barely noticed the hustle and bustle all around her. She was wholly focused on her mission to kick ass.
Duncan’s ass.
She was surprised to find his office building wasn’t a glossy high-rise. Instead, he worked out of a converted Victorian house, painted dark gray with white trim, and with a surprisingly lush garden out front.
Her fury only grew bigger as she realized this was exactly the kind of office building and garden a person would have if he intended to trick someone like Moira into thinking he wasn’t a cutthroat, heartless businessman. She bet he even served cups of tea and biscuits on little flowered plates during meetings. Just like the vicious wolf disguising himself in Grandma’s nightclothes.
Anger fueled her as she wrenched open the door. No surprise, the woman at the reception desk had a kind expression to go with the garden and the unassuming office. Duncan was ticking off every dastardly box, one after the other. All his office needed to make the unthreatening image complete was a puppy running around the corner looking adorable and cuddly.
“Hello, I’m Gail,” the woman said with a smile. “How may I help you?”
“I’m looking for Duncan Lyman.” Lola’s words were hard-edged, and there was no smile on her face or in her voice. It wasn’t normally in her nature to bite someone’s head off. But nothing felt normal anymore.
Not since Duncan had crushed Lola’s hopes, dreams, and heart to smithereens.
The woman remained smiling as she said, “I’m afraid Duncan isn’t here right now.”
Damn it! Lola had wanted to catch him off guard, which was why she hadn’t called to let him know she was coming to Boston. And if she was being totally honest with herself, she’d also been afraid that she’d crumble if she heard his voice. That was why she had blocked his number since Friday night, in case he tried to call her. The truth was that it had taken her the entire trip from Bar Harbor to steel herself to see him again.
“When will he be back? I need to see him right away.”
“Is he expecting you?”
“No.” Lola followed up the word with a harsh laugh. “I’m
sure I’m the very last person he’s expecting to see.”
Remarkably, Duncan’s assistant still didn’t look flustered. “Perhaps if you could tell me what you need to speak with him about, I might be able to be of better service.”
“He cheated one of my friends, causing her to nearly lose her business.”
At last, the woman’s composure began to crack as she frowned. “Duncan? Cheating your friend?” She shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I find that terribly hard to believe.”
“He’s already admitted everything.” Each word fell with a hard, staccato beat. “I’m here to make sure he does the right thing by my friend.”
His receptionist pushed back from her desk. “If you will excuse me for a moment, I need to have a quick word with my colleague. What did you say your name was?”
“Lola Sullivan.”
The woman’s eyes widened. “I knew you looked familiar! I saw your picture on your website when I booked your drawing class as a gift for Duncan.”
Lola was taken aback to realize this woman knew who she was. “You sent Duncan to my class?”
The woman nodded. “He absolutely loved it. I haven’t seen him look so happy in the five years I’ve worked with him.”
Lola’s gut twisted even tighter at the memory of how happy she’d been too. Only to find out that her joy with Duncan was based on lies. “Whether or not he enjoyed my class is irrelevant,” she insisted. “He still has a lot to answer for when it comes to the way he treated my friend.”
For a moment, Lola thought Gail might defend Duncan again. Instead, she said, “Could I get you a cup of tea while you’re waiting?” She gestured to the floral teacups and cookies on the sideboard. Just as Lola had predicted.
“No, I don’t want anything.” Only Duncan’s blood.
Though Lola didn’t take a seat on one of the plush seats, she couldn’t stop herself from studying the framed maps on the wall. Hand-drawn, they depicted bodies of water near Montauk, New York; Charleston, South Carolina; and Baltimore, Maryland. Duncan’s signature was on the bottom right corner of all three maps. She hated having to admit that, although he was scum, his talent was still undeniable.
Lola had never been a waffler. And with Duncan, everything had seemed so clear at first. So positive. So perfect. So joyous. Until Moira had unmasked him as the villain, and she’d realized just how wrong she’d been about him. This morning, she’d been so sure that nothing would sway her from seeing him as a villain. Yet, as she stood in his office looking at the maps he’d drawn, her heart twinged.
No. Lola refused to let her heart soften toward Duncan. Turning her back on his art, she crossed her arms firmly across her chest.
Sixty seconds later, Gail returned to the reception area with another attractive woman. Lola admonished herself for feeling at all jealous of the people Duncan worked with. She wasn’t interested in him anymore. Clearly, she needed to get a grip on her emotions, and fast.
“Ms. Sullivan, it’s nice to meet you.” The woman held out her hand. “I’m Anita Greene, and I work with Duncan. Gail has just filled me in on your situation, and if you could spare a few minutes, I’d appreciate it if you could join me in my office.”
Lola had come to Boston to make sure Duncan set things straight with Moira. But now that she was here, she realized she also needed to warn his employees about his true nature. Okay, so neither woman looked anything but nice, and happy to boot, but that could be because he was biding his time before he took advantage of them.
Lola followed Anita into her office. The other woman gestured for her to take a seat. “Before we discuss the reason you’re here,” Anita said, “I want you to know this is my second week on the job, and I’m still working to get a handle on everything. If there’s an investment or partnership that I’m not aware of, I apologize, and I promise I will do my best to get up to speed quickly.”
“Look,” Lola said, “you seem like a nice person, as does Gail. And I get it, because I was also taken in by Duncan. I think you both deserve to know that he has done some really bad things.”
Anita looked concerned. “I’d appreciate it if you could give me more information.”
“My friend’s name is Moira Kennedy. She’s the founder of MKS Digital, a digital handbag and accessories company. She was involved with a startup incubator named Brilliant Funds five years ago, which was owned by Duncan and his brother. They took a great deal of her money, promising to quintuple it once she’d proven her product’s marketability. Not only did they not give her a dime, but in less than six months, after she had changed her entire business plan and product line to suit them, her business was on the rocks, and they told her there was nothing more they could do for her. It took her years to salvage her reputation within the industry.”
“I’m very sorry to hear this,” Anita said, sounding genuinely upset. “While I’m afraid I only know the broad strokes about the period of time when Duncan worked with his brother, I can unequivocally tell you that this company is wholly aboveboard.”
Lola wasn’t surprised Anita was defending Duncan. After all, who wanted to believe they had been taken in by a scumbag? She certainly hadn’t, even though Duncan had admitted it in her parents’ living room on Friday night. Still, she had to ask, “What makes you so sure?”
“I have a background in forensic research and accounting,” Anita explained. “Before accepting this position, I combed through Duncan’s account books, files, and client records. I feel confident that I would not have missed anything unlawful.”
Lola was reminded of her father’s questions about whether there could be some explanation for Duncan’s involvement—and supposed wrongdoings—with Moira.
No. Lola couldn’t give in to her doubt. She needed to remain firm, strong, on task. This was about helping Moira. Nothing else.
“Even if this company is aboveboard,” Lola said to Anita, “that doesn’t erase Duncan’s past misdeeds. And given that he has flat-out admitted to wrongdoing with regard to my friend, I would appreciate it if you would tell me where he is. I just drove in from Bar Harbor, and I need to talk to him immediately.”
“I’m afraid I don’t know his exact whereabouts, but I’m happy to call him to find out. And I want you to know that I promise to look into everything you’ve just told me.”
“Thank you. But you don’t need to call him for me.” Lola’s heartbeat sped up, knowing she would be hearing his voice again soon. Steeling her heart to lock down completely, she said, “I’ll call him myself.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Duncan picked up halfway through the first ring. “Lola, I’m so glad you called.” His deep voice resonated through her the same way it always had, turning her insides to liquid. “I’ve spent all weekend hoping you’d let me apologize and explain everything.”
This was precisely why she had blocked his number Friday night. For all her fury at the way he’d betrayed her and Moira, she still hadn’t trusted herself not to give in and pick up his call, if only to hear his voice one more time. And she’d been right not to trust her physical reaction to him. Despite what he’d done, just hearing his voice made desire rise up inside of her again.
Squashing every ounce of emotion and attraction, she said, “I’m not interested in hearing more lies about what a great guy you are.” Her tone was flat, with none of her usual warmth. “I’m here in Boston to talk about Moira.”
“You’re in Boston?” He was clearly shocked. “Where? I’ll come straight to you.”
They needed a more even playing field than his office—somewhere impersonal where she couldn’t make the mistake of letting emotions get in the way. “I passed a Starbucks two blocks from your office. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
She hung up on him before he could reply. She had never hung up on anyone before, not even her brothers or sisters when they were being annoying. Lola went out of her way to be a good, kind, friendly person. But Duncan had pushed her too far. Farther than anyone had ever pushe
d her.
Because she’d never let herself love anybody else.
Only him.
Lola had let her heart tumble head over heels. She’d let herself be consumed by emotion and passion. And now she was paying the price.
Which was why it didn’t matter how strong their connection had felt, or that just so much as looking at Duncan, let alone touching or kissing him, had set a thousand flames alight inside of her. If she had known the truth about him, passion would never have mattered. And she wouldn’t have dropped her guard to let him in.
Regardless of his apologies and explanations, she would never make that mistake again.
Despite her dark mood, as she walked the two blocks to the Starbucks, she couldn’t keep from breathing in the sweet aroma of blooming flowers on this softer edge of the business district, while also noticing how rushed everyone seemed as they hurried to wherever they were going.
It had been too long since she’d come to the city. Lola had always been inspired by people-watching—how strangers dressed, or did their hair and makeup, even the way some of them put their dogs in fancy outfits to match their own. This trip was an accidental reminder that there was a whole big world she needed to make time to see and experience.
She wouldn’t thank Duncan for this reminder, but she wouldn’t let him mar it either.
After ordering a cup of tea, she sat at a table for two that faced the window, then pulled out the sketchbook she always kept in her bag. Though she was on edge as she waited for Duncan, she was pleased that the creative part of her still felt inspired. She couldn’t stand the thought of letting Duncan—or any other man—steal her creativity.
As her pencil moved quickly over the page, it was comforting to know that regardless of how heavy her heart felt, the core of who she was remained and would come out of this stronger than ever. It was a much-needed epiphany in what had otherwise been a horrible three days.