by Dani Wade
“Royce. I thought...” Why had she thought that she would be enough to make the leopard change his spots? “I thought maybe he might be different.”
“Was he ugly to you? Did he hurt you?”
“No.” He simply chose business over me. “I just overheard something I shouldn’t have.”
“Maybe you didn’t hear enough.”
She hadn’t wanted to hear more. She shook her head. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
Dominic’s hand flexed against her, drawing her focus away from the pain in her heart. “You can,” he said. “Tonight is your crowning glory, and it’s almost over. Ivy and I will help you finish what you need to, I promise.”
Jasmine just hoped that would be enough.
* * *
Royce concentrated hard on the feel of John’s hand against his, letting the sounds of the party in the house disappear. He’d never touched his father before. He’d never wanted to be this close to him.
Just as he’d expected, the grip was firmer than it needed to be—a competition to see who could outman the other. It wasn’t the recognition and respect Royce had exchanged with men like Don Jefferson. Men who were high achievers in their businesses, but who were also intent on contributing to the greater good in their families, their communities and the world.
Royce tightened his hold before stepping in, mere inches away from his father. He had to admit the slight advantage he had in height made him feel superior, even though it was a petty sentiment that shouldn’t have a place here. Then again, his father preferred for this meeting to be about strength, and probably his own superiority to his son. Apparently, he’d come here to school Royce in how he should live.
But he had no lessons Royce needed to learn.
He found himself leaning close to his father’s face, looking him dead in the eye and acknowledging the biological link between the two of them. Then he grinned, because he didn’t have to base his life and decisions on that biology. Or, rather, he’d prefer his maternal biology to any genes this man had passed on to him.
“That’s right,” he said, his voice low but clear. “I’ve never let anything stand in the way of achieving my goals...only my goals have changed.”
John’s eyes widened as Royce’s grip turned punishing. After a few seconds, Royce turned away. But he wasn’t done proving his point. “Success isn’t defined by money, Father, despite this belief system that you’ve built your life upon. I’ve seen many examples in the business community of men who care just as much about their fellow man as they do about themselves.”
“And they’re poorer because of it,” John insisted.
“How much money do you really need to live, John? After all, you can only drive one Rolls Royce at a time.”
The other man’s gaze flared at Royce’s words.
“I’d rather have one or two fewer cars and build a dormitory for homeless men at the City Sanctuary mission. I’d rather make a little less money on a shipping contract and know that people are getting life-saving supplies that they need. After all, I only require one place to live.”
He gestured around the luxury office he’d built here at Keller House. “All of this is simply surplus.”
Royce returned to his post behind the large mahogany desk but didn’t sit down. Instead, he faced his father—businessman to businessman. “But most important, John, I’d rather have the love of a good woman and a family as my legacy than the money to build a huge mausoleum for all the people who couldn’t give a rat’s ass about visiting my grave after I’m gone. That’s my definition of success.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Am I? Because tonight I have my money, my woman and a child with the sweetest smile in the world. A child who deserves a chance to achieve her own success, no matter who contributed to her biological makeup. What do you have besides your money, a wife who couldn’t care less about you and a big, empty house?”
Royce braced his hands on the desktop, staring the other man down. “Now, while this little family reunion has been very enlightening, in the future, you will not contact me. If you see me in public, you will walk the other way. If you see my future wife, future child, employees or anyone associated with me, you will keep on walking. If you don’t, I will make sure you regret it. Because I don’t need you in my life.”
It was almost amusing to see his father draw his body straighter, even though he was facing defeat. “I doubt you can do that.”
“Oh, I can. You see, I know what you value the most, Father. And while I’m sure you had plenty of cronies to help you disavow me and leave my mother poverty-stricken while she raised your child, this is a new day. A new culture. And news of the steps you took to ruin that woman and your biological child won’t go over nearly as well in today’s business climate—especially coming straight from that child himself. Who is now a very successful man in his own right.”
Royce smiled, though he knew it wasn’t a pleasant expression. “So I will warn you again—you keep your mouth shut. That is, if you want me to do the same.”
Nineteen
Jasmine kept herself busy. Since she knew she would need to leave sooner rather than later, she quietly made preparations to disappear once the midnight unveiling had happened. For the first time ever, she had no plans to stay at her event until the last guest had left and the last plate was packed.
Ivy seemed to have disappeared while Jasmine was upstairs, and she wasn’t answering her phone, so Jasmine went to the point person in each area to make sure they were covered. Plans had been made to close the party at 2:00 a.m. Every staff member knew what was expected of them. A cleaning crew would be here tomorrow.
She’d hoped her sister would stay behind as her eyes and ears, but she’d make do as best she could. Who knew how long she’d be able to hold all these emotions inside? And the last thing she wanted was to make small talk with Royce while wondering if he was simply humoring her to get her into bed.
There was nothing she wanted more than to get out of this dress and be home with her family. That was the difference between her and Royce. They were her comfort, her sustenance. Royce would have to settle for sleeping with cold hard cash if his success meant so much to him.
Jasmine’s hypervigilance allowed her to spot him when he came down the stairs. John wasn’t with him. Luckily, Royce paused with some guests, so she headed in the opposite direction. It wasn’t like she didn’t have plenty to do.
The waiters started to circulate throughout the ballroom with fresh trays of champagne while staff informed guests throughout the house that it was almost time for the midnight unveiling. Jasmine had been so looking forward to this part of the night. That romantic moment when masks were discarded, when the true person behind the mask was revealed.
Even though she and Royce recognized each other behind their masks, she’d still looked forward to meeting his gaze in that moment.
Now the last thing she wanted was to look at Royce without the protection of her mask hiding her expression.
She saw his sandy-blond head as he entered the ballroom. Even from this distance, she knew he was looking for her. And she couldn’t handle it. She simply couldn’t.
As she backed slowly away, her hand made contact with the wall behind her. That’s when she realized the panel where she stood was actually the door to the private ladies’ alcove. She hadn’t revealed the existence of the little room to the guests. Jasmine took a quick look around to see if anyone was watching, but they’d all turned their attention to the MC preparing the crowd for the pinnacle of the evening. So she opened the door and slipped inside.
Only seconds after she’d quietly closed the door, her phone vibrated. It was her sister.
“Ivy, where are you?” she whispered frantically.
It wasn’t as if there was anyone in the room to hear her,
but she couldn’t help it. Her rapidly beating heart felt as if it was calling out across the room. What if Royce found her here?
She wasn’t sure she could face him.
“I’m so sorry, Jasmine,” her sister said from the other end of the line. “I left.”
“You what?”
“I left...with someone.”
Even though Jasmine should have been questioning her sister or concerned for her safety, she could only respond with panic over her absence. “I need your help. Right now.”
“I’m on my way to Paxton’s apartment.”
“What?” Oh, that was a bad idea. A very bad idea.
“I just... I want this, Jasmine.”
“Please don’t. I’m telling you, Ivy. This is not a good choice.” Jasmine knew that for certain. Now more than ever.
“But it’s my choice,” Ivy said softly. “And I’m going to make it.”
“Ivy!” Jasmine cried, but her sister had already hung up. “Damn it.”
Why wouldn’t her little sister listen to her? She was getting her own heart broken over a client right now. She knew just how dangerous those working relationships could be.
But Ivy, as the youngest, had been trying to prove she wasn’t a child for a while now. This act of rebellion might end up costing her more than her job.
As the sounds of a trumpet heralded the coming of midnight in the ballroom, Jasmine quickly gathered her purse and keys, a plan forming in her mind. She’d slip from the room while everyone was distracted and make her way to her car. She could send Ivy back to Keller House for the rest of her stuff tomorrow.
Right now, she just needed out.
Away from the fairy tale she’d thought was happening and home to the day-to-day drudgery and chaos that was her life. She’d find magic again, someday, but she’d learned her lesson. Never date a client. Never get so close you think you’re seeing behind the facade, only to learn the facade had been the reality all along.
Time to go.
Desperate to get away, Jasmine jerked the door open, only to find herself face-to-face with the one man she never wanted to see again. Well, maybe he wasn’t the only one. She’d be happy never to see his father again, either.
“Jasmine, where have you been?” Royce’s hard business tone scraped over her nerves.
“I could ask you the same thing,” she choked out.
“What are you talking about?” He frowned. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“Why?” A small spark of her normal sassiness finally made an appearance. “Are you unhappy with my service in some way?”
“What?”
She shook her head, grief overwhelming that tiny spark.
“Jasmine, what is it?”
The words simply wouldn’t come. She had no idea whether to lay into him, scream and cry, or simply skulk away from the humiliation of knowing he’d lied to her. Granted, he hadn’t turned into some kind of super-involved family guy. If anything, at times he’d seemed lost.
But he hadn’t retreated, hadn’t rejected Rosie completely. And he’d made love to Jasmine with a passion she’d never experienced before and hadn’t been strictly business outside of the bedroom. Memories of him holding Rosie at the hospital, helping them get Auntie taken care of, talking about his mother’s death...he’d opened himself up to her and her family.
Had the confrontation with his father washed all of that away?
I have never let anything stand in the way of my success. I’m not about to start now. No. She wasn’t strong enough to find out.
Around them the crowd erupted in applause. The lights dimmed for a moment, then the orchestra struck up a lively tune. But Jasmine and Royce remained frozen in their silent battle. Without permission, Royce reached up to touch the mask she’d had made to match her dress. His other hand found the ties at the back of her head.
He was so close, his touch so intimate, that she was transported back to the night before, when he’d shown her in no uncertain terms just how much he enjoyed her. Only now, their encounter felt dirty, tainted by motives she could only guess at.
It wasn’t until the strings came loose and Royce pulled the mask away that Jasmine felt the tears spill onto her cheeks. Royce’s eyes widened and what looked like panic washed over his expression. But all Jasmine could feel was the humiliation of knowing she was crying over a man who would walk away from her whenever business demanded.
So she walked away first and didn’t look back.
* * *
Royce looked down at the paper Matthew had handed him and cursed. Jasmine’s final invoice.
She hadn’t wasted any time. It had only been three days since the masquerade. Three days in which she wouldn’t return his phone calls or text messages. He’d even gone by the house once. Auntie had answered the door, holding Rosie, only to tell him that Jasmine wasn’t home. From her worried expression, he assumed she was telling him the truth.
But she’d also refused to tell him anything else.
He’d learned nothing about what had upset Jasmine that night, though he suspected it had something to do with his father’s visit. As far as he could tell, they hadn’t spoken to each other alone. She could have overheard something, but what?
Royce was an astute businessman, but when it came to women, especially upset women, he was more than a little lost. He’d have given anything to have his mother there so he could ask her advice. Did he confront Jasmine? Leave her to stew for a while? What?
“I just don’t understand, Matthew,” he said, more as a way to express his frustration than anything.
“I know. She was perfect for you.” As soon as the words left his mouth, Matthew must have realized what he’d said, because his assistant’s eyes went wide and worried.
“You’re right. She is.”
Matthew started to shake his head and back away. He was probably wondering where the heck his real boss had gone.
Royce was beyond caring about keeping things professional. He ran a rough hand through his hair, no longer worried what it would look like afterward—or who might see it messed up. He was no longer the consummate professional. Jasmine had stripped the superficial facade away. “But I can’t fix what’s wrong until I know what it is.”
Matthew studied him for a moment, then cautiously offered, “Obviously you aren’t trying hard enough.”
“What? I’ve texted, called, gone by the house.”
“Come on,” Matthew admonished, the tension in his body easing up some. “Where’s the guy who beat out every shipping company in Savannah to get Jefferson’s contract? I’m pretty sure you stepped out of your comfort zone to accomplish that.”
Boy, had he. “But this is a woman.”
“No different...except you might need a little more finesse. Use some of those personal negotiating techniques Jasmine taught you.”
“A little more finesse, huh?”
Royce thought about that the rest of the day. Jasmine’s techniques had really just been about seeing people for who they were, treating them with respect as human beings. She’d drilled that into him, but he still needed a little more work in that area.
Starting now.
Even though it was about an hour before he normally left the office, Royce headed for the door. “Take the rest of the day off, Matthew.”
He had to smile at his assistant’s gasp. Those words hadn’t been uttered in Royce Brazier’s office, well, ever.
So why was Royce grinning as he got into his car?
Today was a Thursday. Jasmine always volunteered at the mission on Thursday evenings. She had for the entire two months he’d known her. Why not use that knowledge to his advantage?
As he drove toward the mission, he experienced an unfamiliar sensation of freedom. So this was what play
ing hooky felt like.
Of course, it didn’t hurt that he had some business to discuss with Francis Staten. Royce hadn’t changed his stripes entirely.
He walked into the mission’s large dining area just as the line was forming for dinner service. Sure enough, Jasmine stood behind the steam tables. Their eyes met across the room. He could read the jolt in her body, even from this distance.
The pull to go to her was strong. He wanted to be near her, beside her. But he had to make things right first.
So he crossed the room to find Francis, instead. The director stood with several visitors, chatting before the meal. He greeted Royce with a smile and a warm handshake. “So good to see you here.”
“Thank you,” Royce replied. “I wonder if you would spare me a few moments of your time.”
“Absolutely.” Francis said his goodbyes to the others, then gestured for Royce to follow him out of the room. “I hope this isn’t bad news.”
Royce was quick to reassure him. “Definitely not.” But he waited until they reached Francis’s office before filling him in.
“Everything has been tallied and totaled, and we had some very generous donors at the masquerade,” Royce said.
“That’s good,” Francis said with a smile. “And I can’t remember ever enjoying an evening so much. What you and Jasmine put together was pure magic.”
“Yes, it was, wasn’t it?” He and Jasmine were magic together, too, if only he could get her to see that.
“Now, why do the two of you both turn so solemn when I say that?” Francis’s gaze was a little too astute.
And here Royce had thought he was going to be able to stick to business, at least for this part of the evening. “Just a little misunderstanding that I’m hoping to clear up.”
“I hope so, too. Jasmine deserves to be happy. And so do you, young man.”
“Happiness never factored into the equation for me before,” Royce said with a sigh. The happiness he’d found with Jasmine would leave a hole in his life if they weren’t together. Please let me be able to fix this.