“I’m going to offer our services as a form of an apology for all the false accusations they’ve had to endure from government agencies as a whole. Show it as a positive PR move on both our parts.”
“Do you think that will work?” Kathleen asked, feeling hopeful.
“I guess we’ll see.” Simpson stood. “I’ll let you know after I give their company’s chairman of the board and family matriarch, Victoria Kingsley, a call on my way to the doctor’s.”
“Great. I hope you feel better.”
“Talk soon,” Simpson said, walking out the office.
The moment the door closed, Kathleen stood in the middle of her office and did a happy dance. “I’m coming for you, Kingsley.”
Chapter 2
Morgan Kingsley, the twenty-nine-year-old VP of field operations for Kingsley Oil and Gas, walked into the plant’s cafeteria, rubbing his hands together with one thing on his mind: food. It was a room designed to make the Kingsley employees feel at ease and have a sense of home. With all the hours they all spent there away from their families, the Kingsleys felt the least they could do was make sure their employees were comfortable doing their downtime.
He walked into the brightly lit tan-and-white room, which offered various types of wood-and-steel tables paired with large cream leather folding chairs, to find his plant manager, Adrian Jones, standing in the buffet line.
“What are you doing here so early on a Friday, boss?” Adrian asked.
Morgan picked up a tray and plate and surveyed his choices. “I’m about to have breakfast.”
“I can see that,” Adrian replied, accepting a plate with an omelet from one of the craft service members.
“Lately you’ve only been around for lunch or dinner.”
Skipping the special-order omelet line, Morgan filled his plate with eggs, bacon and pancakes. “Yeah, well, now that all those bogus investigations are over and that bastard Perez is behind bars, I can stay at my own place here and come right to the plant every day and enjoy some of the best breakfast in town.”
After spending a few moments at the juice-and-coffee bar, both men made their way to a vacant table. “Cool,” Adrian replied, pouring syrup over his stack of pancakes. “You’re wearing overalls and work boots. Where are you working today?”
“Maintenance is shorthanded, and I don’t want my welders falling behind.” Morgan reached for his glass of juice.
“I can pull a couple of people from the south bins to help out.”
“That’s not necessary. Ernest and I can handle it.” Morgan popped a piece of bacon in his mouth.
“Someone call my name?” Ernest Walker, the plant’s maintenance director, asked, approaching the table, holding a tray of dirty dishes.
Adrian and Ernest shook hands. “I hear you got the boss doing some heavy lifting today.”
“He can handle it,” Ernest insisted.
“Damn right,” Morgan agreed, diving into his food.
“There you are,” a small, gray-haired woman called out as she approached the table, wiping her hands with her apron.
Morgan and Adrian rose from their seats. “Good morning, Ms. Monica,” all three men greeted. Ms. Monica, as everyone called her, was the sixty-year-old craft service manager and head chef who had worked for the Kingsleys for nearly thirty years. She was like a grandmother to all the Kingsley boys and pretty much everyone else too.
Ms. Monica was just one of the many reasons Morgan was so happy to have the Perez fiasco behind his family and their business. The plant, located just outside of Port Arthur, Texas, and their oil rigs were his safe haven. The death of his father and uncle were beyond difficult, but his extended family at their plant made growing up without them a bit more bearable.
Often, their mother’s love could be suffocating, so when she finally allowed them to spend time at the plant with a few people she trusted who weren’t bodyguards, Morgan relished those moments. The plant became his second home and he was fiercely protective of it too.
“We need to talk about the menu that nutritionist lady sent over the other day.”
“What’s wrong with the menu, Ms. Monica?” Morgan pulled out a chair for her.
Ms. Monica took the seat. “Nothing’s wrong with it. Your mother was right. Healthier, balanced diets are something we should all strive for. None of us are getting any younger, you know. In fact, nearly half the folks working have been here since the doors opened. It’s just going to be too much money buying so many organic vegetables from that company they recommended. I know where we can get everything we need for much less money. I know y’all rich and all, but it never hurts nobody to save a little money.”
Morgan laughed. “You are so right, Ms. Monica, and I appreciate how you look after us—”
“But...” She crossed her arms.
“We have some pretty solid agreements with a number of vendors. Agreements that my mother negotiated personally.”
Ms. Monica laughed. “Well, in that case, I’m sure Victoria got you a rock-bottom price.”
“Yes, ma’am, I’m sure she did.”
“Well, I better get back to my kitchen. It’ll be time to serve lunch before I know it. Speaking of lunch, my friend’s beautiful daughter—”
“Ms. Monica, we’ve talked about this already.” Morgan helped her out of her chair. Here we go again. I really wish everyone would stop trying to fix me up. Can’t a brother just get back to work and enjoy the fact that no one is coming after us for one thing or another? “I appreciate your concern, but I don’t need help getting dates.”
“I’m not trying to help you get hooked up with some hussy,” Ms. Monica said and playfully swatted at his hand. Morgan pressed his lips together, preventing his laugh from escaping. “I’m trying to help you find a nice girl you can marry.”
“Ms. Monica—”
“And not like that gold digger Bonnie Ford,” she continued talking, shaking her head as if he hadn’t said a word. “I still can’t believe she tried to use your relationship to advance her family’s business interest. Ridiculous! Compared to your family’s other refineries, that small oil refinery of theirs would look like one of those ugly hateful stepsisters standing next to the beautiful princess. Not to mention all the times he’s filed for bankruptcy.”
“It was a long time ago,” he replied, still feeling a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Morgan had no idea that his three-year, loving relationship with Bonnie—at least he’d thought it was loving—had meant so little to her. He certainly didn’t know her and her parents’ only agenda for them was to forge a business empire between their families.
“That’s my point. It’s time for you to stop playing with all these silly little girls and find a woman with some substance. It’s time you found yourself a wife.”
Morgan checked his watch. “Look at the time. I should get over to the shop.”
“Fine, go, but we are not done with this discussion, young man,” she insisted, walking toward the kitchen.
Yes, we are. The last thing I need is a wife.
Ms. Monica was like family and Morgan knew she meant well, but he was happy with his life just the way it was. Sexually satisfying liaisons with temporary companions and keeping his heart protected from another bad break suited him just fine. Morgan threw his trash away and set his dishes in the collection pans. He walked toward the exit when his cell phone rang. “Hey, what’s up, A?” Morgan answered, stopping shy of the exit.
“China’s in labor,” Alexander, Morgan’s elder brother and CEO of Kingsley Oil and Gas, replied.
“Oh. Snap. Is China all right?”
“She’s...emotional but strong,” Alexander replied.
“That she is,” Morgan agreed.
“And beautiful...so damn beautiful,” Alexander murmured.
Morgan heard something in his brother’s voic
e, something unfamiliar. Fear maybe. “Are you okay, A?”
“Yeah, but I could use some backup,” he admitted.
“I’m on the way.”
“You sure, Morgan?”
“I’m sure. Where am I coming?”
“Woman’s Hospital. Thanks, man.”
Morgan could hear the relief in his brother’s voice. “I’ll take the chopper and see you in about an hour.”
Morgan put his phone away, pivoted and walked toward another exit, one that would get him to his car the fastest. He still couldn’t believe another Kingsley would be arriving soon. Now Morgan had two brothers with children, something he never thought he’d see—so soon, anyway—and briefly wondered if that was a journey he’d ever take.
* * *
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Kathleen grumbled that night, trying to sit still in the makeup artist’s chair. She was anxious to find out if the Kingsley investigation would move forward and kept thinking about all the things that needed to be done before she could get started.
“Like you could go to the Irene Winston Cancer Foundation gala with Dad and me looking like—”
“Like what, Hannah, myself?”
“No, not you. Not the real you, anyway. Maybe a more sedated you,” her younger sister conceded.
“I work in the real world where all this excess is not necessary and frowned upon. Just because I don’t walk around looking like a glam goddess like you, little sister, Miss TV Chef, doesn’t mean I don’t look good.”
“I didn’t say you didn’t. What I am saying is that you need to showcase all of our mother’s wonderful gifts. The high cheekbones, seductive eyes and—” she ran her hands through her own hair “—all this thick beautiful black hair.”
“Hannah, you sound like a beauty commercial,” Kathleen said, laughing. “Why aren’t Wesley and Kennedy going to this thing tonight?”
“You know our big brother and sister are workaholics just like you. They’re out of town on business. Plus they’re always at these things. Our foundation’s charity events usually have us traveling all over the country. Since this one was local, right in your backyard, we figured you could step up for once,” Hannah explained.
“For once?”
“Yes, Kathleen. You rarely make an appearance to any of our social events, be they personal or charitable.”
Kathleen bit her lip. “I like my privacy. Besides, my job—”
“Has nothing to do with your family. Stop hiding behind it.”
“I’m not,” she murmured, knowing her sister was right. Kathleen had enjoyed attending their charitable functions just as much as her sister until their mother got sick. Her mother’s illness and trying to find ways to deal with her anger became her focus.
“Whatever. Which dress do you want to wear? They’re both Versace.” Hannah held up a black, low-backed lace gown in one hand and a red, strapless, flowing gown with a high split in the other. “If I were you—”
“I’ll take the black one, please.”
“Red, it is,” Hannah replied. “You need to show off your banging body and gorgeous face if you want to catch a worthy man.”
“I’m not looking for a worthy man, Hannah.”
“You should be. You’re twenty-nine and haven’t had a man since college.”
“I’ve been focusing on my career. Making a difference in people’s lives is important to me. I don’t need any unnecessary distractions.”
“You can still fight your crusade and have a man too. You’d be amazed what great sex can do for a working woman’s disposition.”
Kathleen rolled her eyes. “My temperament is just fine, thank you very much. Anyway, I don’t think there are many men out there like Dad. It would take someone pretty substantial to get me to deviate from my course.”
“You won’t know until you try and find one,” she said challengingly.
“I don’t see you running to the altar with Peter.”
“And you won’t. We’ve outlived our usefulness for each other,” Hannah explained, picking up a comb, running it through her hair and admiring her own beautiful makeup job.
“What? When did that happen?”
“That’s a story for another time. You look fabulous.” Hannah turned and hugged her makeup artist. “Lisa, you are amazing.”
“Thank you, but you both offer a beautiful canvas for my work. I’ll see you on the set in the morning. Have a good night, ladies,” Lisa said before walking out the door.
“The set?” Kathleen frowned. “I didn’t know you were working.”
“They booked a couple of promos for me while I’m in town. Houston’s one of my biggest markets,” she declared proudly.
Kathleen’s phone beeped. She reached for it and read the message. A huge smile crawled across her face. Kathleen had just received the go-ahead to go after the Kingsleys. She felt giddy. Like she’d just found out that her favorite book was being turned into a movie. Her boss might believe the Kingsleys were innocent but her gut wouldn’t let her join that bandwagon just yet and Kathleen always followed her gut.
“Good news?” Hannah asked.
Curiosity was written all over her sister’s face. “The best. I just got my new assignment.”
“Oh. Here.” Hannah handed Kathleen the red dress, brushing off her news. “Put this one on with the sexy red-and-gold Versace heels I pulled out.”
“What are you wearing?”
“Versace, of course, only my dress is a deeper red.” Hannah gave her sister a Cheshire cat smile.
“If I didn’t know that your IQ was as high as mine or that you were a beast when it came to cooking, I’d swear you were a spoiled, rich woman enamored by the trappings of your lifestyle,” Kathleen stated.
Hannah shrugged. “There’s nothing wrong with me enjoying the fruits of Dad’s and my own labor. Anyway, most of my wardrobe comes to me free.”
“Yes, I keep forgetting. People actually want to see you in their clothes.”
Kathleen walked into her sister’s oversize dressing room, dropped her robe and stepped into the gown her sister had selected. It fit her perfectly, accentuating all of her physical assets. Kathleen stared in the full-length mirror and smiled. Her light eyes sparkled, the makeup highlighted her golden-bronze skin beautifully, her black hair full of curls. Kathleen was thankful her hair was pulled up and out of her face.
She hadn’t seen the woman staring back at her in quite some time. Not only did she look like a younger, slightly darker version of her mother, which made her both happy and sad, she rarely wore makeup or such fancy clothes anymore. Kathleen only cared about stopping companies from hurting their employees and making the bad guy pay, and she didn’t care how she looked doing it. Her heartbeat increased, and she had to fight back her tears. She knew her sister would kill her if she messed up her makeup.
“Ready or not, I’m coming in,” Hannah called out before walking into the room. “Oh wow, sis. You look divine...and just like Mom.”
Kathleen swallowed hard. The fact that her job didn’t require her to dress up was only one reason she didn’t like to do it. The other was because it reminded her of just how much she missed her mother. Hannah was right. Irene Winston had blessed her daughters with her beauty.
“So do you,” Kathleen replied, smiling at Hannah through the mirror. She turned to face her sister. “I’d say we could pass for twins, except your dress leaves little to the imagination with such a low cut in the front.”
Hannah turned around. “And the back,” she added, smiling.
Both women laughed. “You are a mess, Hannah.”
“I know. Here you go.” Hannah handed her sister a black velvet box.
“What’s this?” Kathleen’s eyebrows snapped together.
“Just a few accessories,” she explained.
Kathleen opened the box and her breath caught in her throat. “Oh no, I’m not wearing these.” She quickly closed the box and tried to hand it back to her sister. It was like the box held a deadly secret or something. It was one more thing bringing up emotions she was trying to keep buried. The loss of her mother might have fueled her career, but personally it was something she’d never completely dealt with.
“Will you stop being silly? We don’t have time to go by your house and get yours so you’ll just have to borrow my set tonight.”
“That would be a waste of trip since my set isn’t at my house,” she murmured.
Kathleen heaved a sigh and slowly opened the box as if she’d expected the million-dollar diamond-and-ruby choker and matching stud earrings had disappeared. They had each gotten a set when they’d turned twenty-one. Their father had showered them with jewelry their whole lives. He told them it brought him joy especially since their mother was no longer around to buy things for and spoil.
That was another example as to why Kathleen didn’t waste her time dating. There were too many ideals a man would have to live up to, and spoiling her had nothing to do with it. It was the unconditional love that made them want to do such nice and extravagant things for one another. Kathleen just knew that type of love would be hard to find.
“Don’t tell me something happened to yours.” Fear crossed Hannah’s face. “Dad’s going to be heartbroken.”
Kathleen frowned at Hannah as she reached for the earrings. “Don’t be silly. Most of my jewelry is in my safety deposit box. I only keep a few pieces in my home safe.” She removed the necklace from the box and placed it around her neck.
“Why not keep all your stuff in your home safe?”
“Because it’s not like I wear so much jewelry every day.”
“Good point.” Hannah adjusted her diamond necklace. “How’s work going anyway? I know you can’t tell me who you’re going after but whoever it is had better watch out.”
The Heiress's Secret Romance Page 2