Miss White and the Seventh Heir

by Jennifer Faye

  And so Trey revealed to her how his father had in recent years gone with the easy, sensational headlines and played it loose with the truth. And he’d gotten away with it until he started writing a string of fabricated stories about Deacon Santoro. The movie star had threatened a lawsuit that would put the whole corporation in jeopardy. At last, they settled out of court for a nominal amount and the removal of Trey’s father from the business, but the settlement also included changing the editorial content. And that’s where Sage came into the story.

  “That explains the past, but it doesn’t tell me why you entered my life,” Sage said.

  “With my father stepping down from the company, I was in line for the CEO position. It was my chance to do what I’d always wanted.”

  “What’s that? Run the magazine? And I got in your way?”

  Trey shook his head. “No. I never wanted any part of the magazine.”

  “But why?”

  “Because it’s all my father ever cared about. It wasn’t me or my mother. It was QTR. And I just wanted him to know what it’s like to lose something he loved.”

  Sage gasped. “You want to destroy QTR to get even with your father. But what about all the history? That magazine has been in your family for generations.”

  “Seven generations to be exact. I am the seventh heir. And I thought the last.”

  “You thought? You’ve changed your mind?” There was a note of hope in her voice.

  He turned to look directly into her eyes. “You are a very passionate woman. When you get excited about something, it shows in your face, your voice—it’s infectious.”

  “And that’s how you now feel about the magazine?” Suspicion reflected in her eyes.

  “I didn’t at first. I thought you were crazy for wanting to save that dying rag. I couldn’t imagine what you saw in the magazine to drive you to save it.”

  “And now?” Though the glint of suspicion still showed in her eyes, there was also the spark of curiosity.

  “And then I started working with you. It was then that I saw what the magazine could be—what good it could do.”

  “This all sounds too convenient. Why should I believe you?”

  “You shouldn’t. Not after what I’ve done. But I wanted you to know that you opened my eyes to the potential of QTR.”

  “And if the future of the magazine were just up to you?”

  “I’d continue to help you rebuild it. But it’s not up to me. I’m just one vote on the board. And there is some staunch opposition.”

  “I guess you’d know since you were one of them.”

  He nodded. There was no denying it. “But if my mind can be changed, so can theirs.”

  “But not without a plan for the upcoming year. I need a solid production schedule. And now between the bad reputation of the magazine and Elsa’s conniving, I don’t have anyone on the calendar.”

  “You still have time.”

  “No, I don’t. I’m leaving tomorrow. I’m flying back to California and putting this whole miserable experience behind me.”

  The thought that he caused her to give up hurt him more than he thought possible. He refused to give up—on the magazine and especially on setting things right with Sage.

  “Don’t go.” The words passed his lips before he could think through the ramifications.

  “Why? So you can lie to me some more?”

  “I’m not lying to you. Things can never be the same again, but I will prove to you that I can do better—that you can trust me.”

  “With us being on opposite sides of the magazine?”

  “I told you I’ve changed my mind.”

  “And you expect me to just believe you? Would you have ever told me the truth if Elsa hadn’t outed you?”

  He lowered his head. “I tried to tell you several times. There was always a convenient excuse to put it off. It just never seemed like the right time. We were getting along so well and I... I didn’t want to ruin what we had.”

  “You certainly did that.”

  He scratched at his beard. “I know. And I’m sorry.”

  “At least your father must be happy that you changed your mind about the magazine.”

  “He doesn’t know.”

  “But why not?”

  “My father and I aren’t close. In fact—” he paused because it still hurt for him to admit “—I don’t know him at all.”

  “You don’t?”

  He shook his head. “My father left my mother when I was three years old. He said he couldn’t run his magazine from France.”

  “Why didn’t your mother go with him?”

  “She said her life was in France. And that she would never fit into his world any more than he fit into hers.”

  “That’s so sad.”

  Trey shrugged. “I think there was more to the story, but my mother died before she told me the whole truth. She didn’t like talking about my father.”

  “It must have been tough being the child of divorced parents.”

  “That’s the thing, they never divorced. In fact, my father showed up at my mother’s funeral. He tried to reach out to me but I told him it was too little, too late.”

  “And that’s it? You haven’t spoken to him since?”

  Trey turned to Sage. “Why do you sound so surprised?”

  “It’s just that any time your father spoke of you, he always had such glowing reports.”

  “He talked about me?” Trey found that hard to believe.

  Anxious to turn the spotlight off himself, Trey realized this was his chance to learn more about Sage. “How do you know my father?”

  “We initially met when I interned for him during the summer of my junior and senior years of college.”

  “You must have made quite an impression on my father.”

  She shrugged. “I’m not so sure it was that as much as he thought when he hired me that he would be able to control me.”

  Trey smiled. “I’m guessing you set him straight.”

  “I did. And he wasn’t too happy about it, but by then there was nothing he could do.” She turned to him. “But he does care about you. Remember those photos of you and your mother? He really did keep them on his desk. A person doesn’t do that unless they care.”

  Trey shook his head. “He doesn’t. I can assure you of that. He made it clear when he left.”

  Sage reached out and placed her hand over his. “I don’t know what went wrong between your parents, but I’m telling you he never stopped caring about you. Maybe you should talk to him. Hear his side—”

  “No.” Trey got to his feet. “That isn’t going to happen.”

  “I don’t have to tell you that if you pass up this chance, you might not get another. I lost both of my parents and you lost your mother. This is your chance to get answers.”

  Trey turned to her. He didn’t know how things had gotten so turned around. He was supposed to be apologizing for his deception, but somehow they were now delving into his past. And he had to put a stop to it.

  “I don’t need answers.” There was absolutely no hesitation in his voice. “I don’t want that man in my life. I’m fine on my own.”

  Her gaze studied him for a moment and then there was a glint of sympathy. “Everyone needs somebody.”

  The truth poked at his heart, but he refused to acknowledge it. “What about you? I don’t see you going out of your way to draw people into your life.”

  “Really? Are you so sure about that?”

  He paused. That wasn’t the answer he’d been expecting. Where was she going with it?

  He pressed his hand to his sides. “Okay. Who have you let into your life?”

  She arched a fine brow. “You, for starters.”

  It was true. She had let him in. She’d told him about her past and abo
ut Elsa. She’d shared so much with him and he’d let her down.

  “And there are my roommates, Lisa and Ann. Louise, at the office, is like a mother hen. And I’ve gotten to know everyone at the office. We’re like one big, dysfunctional family.”

  Everything she’d said was true. Because it wasn’t the traditional sense of a family, he hadn’t recognized it as such. But she was right; she took what she had and made a support system for herself. It was more than he had done. Suddenly he felt so alone in this world—it was a staggering moment—much like what he’d felt at his mother’s funeral.

  And when they left Cannes, he knew Sage would return to her makeshift family with their laughter, teasing and closeness. He, on the other hand, would return to San Francisco where he spent hours in solitude working on his newest security software. And when he was at the office, people kept their distance because he was the boss—not a boss like Sage.

  And there was his father. His father might mistakenly think Trey’s change of mind about the magazine meant he changed his mind about him, but nothing could be farther from the truth. His father would never again have anything to do with the magazine or QTR International.

  If Trey had his way, Sage would stay on as managing editor. But would she agree after what she’d learned?

  His gaze met hers. “I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry. I never meant for things to work out like they have.”

  And with that he turned and walked away. Too much had been said that evening. He needed to clear his head. Those things Sage had said about his father...they couldn’t be right. His father had more than thirty years to be a part of his life and he hadn’t done it. Perhaps he’d just been putting on a show for people.

  Sage was such an optimist. He knew she wanted him to have a relationship with his father—something she would never have again. But she had to understand that their fathers were very different men. It was never going to happen for him.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  WHAT TO DO?

  After a restless night, Sage was up early. Her conversation with Trey kept rolling around in her mind. Logic told her not to believe him—that he wasn’t to be trusted. But her heart said the feelings and emotions they’d shared had been genuine.

  Her phone buzzed. She glanced at the caller ID, finding it was her private investigator. She immediately answered. “Have you learned something?”

  “I’m on to something big,” the man said.

  “Tell me.”

  “It’s not complete and I want to be sure before I give you the information. It might take me extra time. Are the added fees going to be a problem?”

  Yes. She was giving him every single cent aside from her rent and food. She thought of the money she was going to use to fly home early. The airline wouldn’t switch the return portion of her ticket and so she’d have to purchase a new one. But in the light of day, things with Trey didn’t appear so dire. If she stayed, it’d save a lot of money.

  “Miss White?”

  “No. It won’t be a problem.” She needed answers and she’d do whatever it took to get them.

  “Okay. I need a few more details and then I’ll give you everything I’ve collected. I think it’s what you’re after.”

  And then a thought came to Sage. Part of her told her not to do it, but a louder voice in her head said it was better to know the truth. “Did you uncover any information regarding Trey...er...Quentin Thomas Rousseau III being involved with Elsa?”

  “No. He’s not.”

  The answer came so quickly that it surprised her. “Are you sure?”

  “One hundred percent positive.”

  It didn’t get any more certain. “Thanks. Keep digging into Elsa’s past. There’s something there that she doesn’t want us to know about.” And with any luck it would be the key to Sage regaining her legacy.

  She ended the call knowing that staying here with Trey or Quentin or whatever he wanted to call himself wouldn’t be easy. Could she avoid him? Not likely since they were sharing the house. There had to be some way to coexist for a little longer.

  * * *

  Trey refilled his coffee for the fourth time the next morning.

  He’d tossed and turned most of the night. Before sunrise, he’d climbed out of bed. He needed to think about something besides how bad he’d screwed things up with Sage.

  A glance in the bathroom mirror showed proof of his bad night. But as he scratched at the irritating beard, he realized there was nothing stopping him from shaving. In fact, there was no reason not to put in his contacts. At last, he could get back to being himself. Although there were a couple of changes he wanted to keep—his nickname and the shorter hair.

  After his shower and shave, Trey paced back and forth in the kitchen in his bare feet while a new pot of coffee brewed. He yawned and stretched. It’d been a long time since he’d pulled an all-nighter.

  “Mind if I come in?”

  The sound of Sage’s voice had him turning. “Sure. You don’t have to ask. You are always welcome.”

  She openly stared at him.

  Had he nicked himself shaving? “What’s wrong?”

  “You. I mean, you look so different.” She continued gazing at him. “Is this how you normally look when you’re not pretending to be an assistant?”

  “I am sorry about that.” He could tell by the stony look in her eyes that his apology didn’t sway her. “Yes, this is me except for the hair. I used to wear it longer, much longer. But I’m liking this shorter style. It’s a lot easier to deal with. What do you think?”

  She shrugged and moved past him toward the freshly brewed coffee. She poured herself a cupful. He noticed that she didn’t offer to get him any. It was to be expected.

  He wondered what it’d take to get them past this awkward spot. There had to be a way because the future of the magazine was at stake. But more than that, he wouldn’t let Sage lose and Elsa win.

  Now, he had to prove to Sage that they made a great team and together they could fend off Elsa. “We’re going to have to work together if we’re going to defeat Elsa.”

  “This is my fight.” Her voice was firm.

  “It’s our fight. Yours and mine.”

  She gave him a strange look. “Why would you take on my stepmother?”

  “You mean besides the fact that I hate the way she treats you?”

  Sage nodded.

  It was time he laid out the truth—a truth that even he found surprising. “Because of you, I have found an appreciation for QTR.” Her eyes widened but she remained quiet and so he continued. “You’ve shown me what it could be. I like the idea of using it to show the good parts of life. The news these days is so full of depressing topics that I’d like to be a part of showing the world the positive side of life. And I’m thinking my ancestors would have liked the idea of their magazine being an instrument for good.”

  “You mean there’s something good that has come from all of this?”

  “If you’re referring to my attitude toward keeping the magazine, then yes.”

  “And then you can hand it down to your son—”

  “No, that isn’t going to happen. I’m not going to put a child through what I experienced growing up.”

  “You don’t need to. I’ve known both you and your father. Yes, there are some similarities but you are very different people. I could see you being a loving, involved father—”

  “Sage, stop. It isn’t going to happen. I want to see the magazine survive. Nothing more.”

  A frown settled on her face.

  “Stop looking at me like I just ran over your teddy bear.”

  “It’s not you. It’s just that the future of the magazine isn’t up to me or you. There’s the board to contend with and I have a meeting with them at the end of the month to determine whether the magazine continues or is closed do
wn. And right now, I do not have a compelling calendar to show them. If I don’t get some big names to grace the covers, they’ll be sure to close us.”

  “You forget that I’m the CEO. I have sway over that board. We’ll compile a winning calendar of interviews. And as for Elsa, we’ll beat her at her own game.”

  “How? I thought about it all night and haven’t come up with anything except locking her in her hotel room. Or better yet, stuffing her in a suitcase and putting her in the cargo hold of the first plane bound for the States.”

  Trey laughed. “I didn’t know you had such a devious mind.”

  Sage still didn’t smile when she said, “Oh, trust me. I have my moments.”

  “Anything you care to share?”

  “Not yet.”

  Well, he had to admit that he was intrigued now. There was so much more to Sage than her sunny smile and friendly personality. Beneath her beauty was a strong businesswoman that wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted. He was looking forward to this battle with Sage by his side.

  But the most important thing to him was putting the smile back on Sage’s face. He had stolen it away and that acknowledgment dug at him. If it was the last thing he did, he would make Sage happy again—even if it meant exiting her life after QTR was secure.

  * * *

  He was going to step up his game.

  He was no longer an observer.

  Trey had signed on to fight for the magazine and that meant thinking outside the box.

  They’d just finished watching the premiere of a French film that made a statement about caring for those with mental health issues. It was very powerful. He wondered if Sage knew the language or if she was taking advantage of the subtitles. He wouldn’t know because their communication so far that day had pertained to business only—nothing personal.

  Outside the theater, a mass of photographers were snapping more photos of the stars. One photographer told Trey and Sage to pose. She didn’t want to, but Trey coaxed her into it. He casually placed his arm around her waist. He longed to pull her closer, but he resisted the urge.

  As soon as the photo was taken, Sage pulled away. She immediately set to work talking to any performer who would listen to her.