Inclusions

by Emily Duvall

  Kendra sidestepped in front of Melanie and cut her off in front of the doors to Luke’s office. “What do you want with him?”

  Melanie arched an eyebrow. “That’s for me to know.”

  A low grumble emitted from Kendra’s throat. Kendra clicked her heels together twice, gave the door a stern knocking, and left Melanie. She gulped and went inside.

  Luke waited for her at his desk; his legs outstretched in front of him, his expression disguised as casual. Appearance-wise, there wasn’t anything casual about Luke. A man with a face hard as the angles on the table either looked pissed-off or almost content and in this moment his mood wasn’t close to content. Carefully, he rubbed his jaw, looking at Melanie with a grim expression. “You have a serious problem following rules,” he said with a flat voice. “I asked you to leave.”

  “And you have a problem with your security,” Melanie retorted. She closed the door and hung back. “I took a few minutes to enjoy the view. I’m not sorry for that.”

  Luke didn’t flinch. He rubbed his eyebrow and squinted. “Why are you here?”

  “I came to say hello.”

  “Bullshit.” Luke snapped his fingers and knocked twice on the desk. His gaze leveled on her big bag. “You came to cause trouble. I saw you with my daughter. What are you now—a teacher?”

  “I’ve never been a teacher.”

  His eyebrows lifted. “I thought that’s what you studied in college.”

  “That was a long time ago.” Steadier than before, her hand clamped down on her strap and she stood taller. He’d remembered at one time she’d planned to be a teacher.

  He let the comment fizzle and pounced on another topic. “How’s Mark doing these days?”

  Melanie’s lips flattened into a sharp line. “He’s still in prison, but something tells me this isn’t news to you.”

  Luke leaned forward and folded his hands on his desk while sporting a cavalier grin. “Let me tell you why I think you’re here.”

  “Okay.”

  “I have two theories. The first one includes you coming to me on behalf of your brother. The second one is where you have finally come around and agree with the decision the jurors made. You want to ask my forgiveness and for turning your back on me.” He smirked and shifted his feet. “You’ve come to apologize.”

  Melanie gritted her teeth. “I forgot that you’re a jerk.” The tote bag straps dropped off her shoulder, underscoring the moment. She repositioned the straps and added proudly, “Mark is innocent. The belief I have in my brother will never waver.”

  “Never’s a dangerous word.” Luke mocked her with his gaze. Slowly, Luke stood up from his chair. “One day I’ll have my apology from you.” He took a step closer and said in a low whisper, “Maybe you’ll give me that apology in bed.”

  A laugh escaped her mouth. “Your wait’s going to be cold and long.”

  “I’m a very patient man when I want to be.” Luke folded his arms over his chest. “Is there anything else you want to tell me?”

  “Maybe I am here because of Mark.” Melanie pulled the strap on her bag for support. “My brother’s become a changed man.”

  “Has he now?” Luke shrugged. “I’ll stop you right there. I’m sure you’ll say anything to convince me. I’m sure the two of you came up with some ridiculous agenda on your own. I’m not interested to hear how he’s changed. Although, I do commend your effort. This must have been a real stretch for you. Driving up such a long way, assuming you’re still in The Valley.”

  “He’s a different man,” she tried, knowing it made no difference.

  “Regardless of the actual reason, I think it’s fair for me to level with you. Your brother took something from me the night he tried to kill me. Something of great value. Go run back to your brother and tell him I want my property returned.”

  Melanie’s feet felt like someone hammered them to the floor. She stood frozen with no idea as to what property he was talking about. Luke stared at her; pressing for an answer, any answer and each second passed as if she looked at the seconds hand on a clock and it wouldn’t move faster. “You’ll have to go through Mark to deal with unresolved issues. I’ve come today for another reason.”

  “You know what I’m talking about. I’ll remind you in case you’ve forgotten. You remember my old, crappy apartment.”

  “The one with the neighbors you could hear having sex,” Melanie pointed out.

  Caught off guard, Luke laughed. For a moment their guards crashed to the floor. A thousand other good times stood between them.

  Luke’s grin vanished and he continued, “The night in question, the one I almost lost my life, my brother Brent had brought me a bag of very rare, Paraiba Tourmalines he’d collected on a recent hunt.”

  “You never introduced me to anyone in your family,” Melanie reminded him bitterly. “I don’t remember. Is Brent the older brother or the younger one?”

  “Older.” Luke cocked his head as if tempted to pursue this topic, but changed his mind. “I didn’t take the tourmalines to the office Mark and I had shared because I didn’t trust him at this point in our business partnership. I kept the stones hidden at my apartment, in my bedroom.”

  “You and Mark always kept the gemstones at your office, in the safe. What made these tourmalines so special? Were you going to sell them on the side and keep the profits?”

  “The blues of these stones are like nothing you’ve ever seen. Ten in all, cut in various shapes: triangle, pear, rectangular, and they vary in carat size from almost five carats to a half. Their high clarity is astounding, the inclusions aren’t visible with the naked eye. Beautiful stones. Brent and I were already starting the plans to build our own company and these tourmalines were going to finance the entire thing.”

  A flush of heat whipped through Melanie’s cheeks at Luke’s admission of splitting off from Mark’s company. She’d always suspected he’d turn his back on her brother and his disclosure on the topic riled her all the more. She tapped her foot. “You sent my brother away, and somehow, you’ve managed to come up with some unwarranted blame about these stones your own brother probably took, or one of your shady neighbors.”

  “Don’t try to put this one on my brother. I trusted him more than I ever trusted you.”

  Melanie forgot to breathe. Her cheeks prickled with anger. “Now you’re just being cruel.”

  “Those tourmalines are what started the argument the night he tried to kill me. Mark made them worth more than my life.”

  “Your theory is convenient, unfounded, and a flat-out lie. Nobody said a blessed word about these tourmalines at the trial. You must be bored to make up such a ridiculous story.”

  Why didn’t Mark tell me about them?

  Later, in private, she could confront him on the phone. Right now she needed to deal with Luke. “Stay away from my family.”

  “You came to see me.” Luke pointed at Melanie and then at himself. “Seven years is a long time to wait to recover what’s mine.” His eyes narrowed. “Your brother knows where they are and I’m happy to take him to court over this and reclaim the estimated eighty-five thousand dollars they’re worth.”

  Melanie flung out her arm. “You never quit.”

  “You showed up here on my doorstep. Not the other way around. What did you expect?”

  “I expected someone slightly more mature.” Melanie fumed. “By the way, how’s your daughter? I hope she’s getting the services she needs. You do know for a two-year-old she should be speaking sentences around you.”

  “Don’t ever talk about Vivian.” Luke stomped over to her and stopped within a foot of her.

  Melanie’s eyes flared. “Does she talk at all?”

  “Get out.”

  The maddened look in his eyes couldn’t stop her. Not now. Not when she was finally on a roll. It felt good to have the upper hand for once. All the ethics and objectivity which she abided by with the utmost strictness in her job flew out the window. There wasn’t any reason to hold b
ack. “Does she know how to say her own name?”

  This pushed Luke over the edge. He stabbed his arm out so fast that it sent a tunnel of wind past her ear. He pointed to the door behind her. His eyes did the talking. Two narrowed angry slits and an even jaw.

  She felt his breath on her face. Smelled the trace of caffeine from his mouth. Melanie dared to breathe with his lips so close. She relaxed her shoulders and regained her composure. “Okay.”

  “Mr. Harrison?” Kendra said, intercepting the moment.

  She turned and stalked out of the room and inadvertently knocked Kendra in the shoulder. “How do I get out of here?” she said.

  Kendra responded with a single, sharp point of her finger to the hallway behind Melanie. “Continue straight until you reach the sliding doors. The security guard will see to it you don’t come back.”

  Melanie made her hurried way to the front of the house and to the doors. The automatic duo opened at the pulse of her step. Half-buried in her bag, Melanie’s hand ruthlessly searched for her keys, forever lost on the inside. Frustration spread through her arms and fingers as she couldn’t find the thin, circle keychain, and she considered dumping her bag all over the ground to search. Today didn’t go anywhere near as planned. Luke had been horrible to her and she couldn’t locate her keys. Everything felt like a big mess and she held back tears as she reached the door of her car. Now she’d have to wait another seven years to put this day behind her.

  “Great,” she said sarcastically. A shadow fell over her bag. Instinctively, she looked up at the cause.

  “You’re still driving that piece of crap?” Luke commented. “I thought you’d have traded up by now.”

  She snapped her gaze to his. “Don’t pretend to know me.” The keychain met her palm and she pulled it out of the bag with excitement.

  “I should have given you more credit for showing up on the same day I’m giving interviews for an assistant nanny position. I must have Mark to thank.”

  “Save yourself the trouble of writing a thank-you note.”

  “I don’t have the address to the prison on hand.”

  Melanie contemplated Luke and gave a sigh. “Look. The reason I came to see you is because Mark has a chance at an early release from his sentence. He asked that I come speak with you and I agreed, against better judgment.” Melanie took a step towards Luke with her neck craning up so her face could meet his six-foot-two frame. “I’m not sorry for breaking onto your property and I’ll get out of here.” She gestured to the car door. “Let’s pretend this visit never happened.”

  Luke’s hands crossed over his chest. “I want to know why you said those things about Vivian.”

  The question erected sympathy in his eyes and such gentleness in his voice that Melanie dropped her hand with the keys to her waist. “Because I see something in her that I see in other children who are…” her voice trailed. She really had no right to intercede.

  “Who are what?”

  “Delayed. It’s probably nothing. Vivian’s doctor would have told you if there’s reason for concern.”

  “I asked for your opinion.”

  “I think she needs some help with her speech. She needs to be around other children, if she isn’t already, and not stuck in a mausoleum all day.” Melanie stopped talking and stepped close to him. “She’s your daughter. That’s between you and your wife.”

  “I don’t have a wife.” He flashed a purposeful glance at Melanie’s left ring finger. “Vivian’s mother lives in Los Angeles and I take care of Vivian full-time, as of recently.” A warm grin softened his angled features. “What makes you think I’m married?”

  Those lips had caused damage, Melanie thought, irritated by the distraction. She glanced at his left hand, as if to prove him wrong. The question trapped Melanie. Any answer she gave would give her away. He wanted her to admit she’d been keeping up with his status. “Don’t flatter yourself. My sister Jessie mentioned some updates about you a few months ago.” Pleased with her solid answer, she nodded. “I haven’t kept track of you.”

  “How did you get my address?”

  “Don’t you know? I just drove into town and asked. You’re too wealthy to be anonymous.” Cornered by her lie, she jiggled her keys, waiting for his response.

  “There have to be no more lies if you’re going to accept.” Luke grinned and shrugged his shoulders.

  “Accept what?” Now he had her worried. “I’ve got a long drive and we have nothing else to discuss.”

  Luke put a hand on her arm. “Stay for dinner.”

  Melanie laughed. “Out of the question.”

  She heard and saw as Luke’s phone vibrated in his hand—he glanced at the screen and read the content. The corners of his mouth tightened. “Excuse me a moment. This message is important.”

  The distraction gave her a chance to open her car door.

  Dinner, her mind raced, he invited you to dinner.

  She glanced up at him, reading something with intensity on his screen. Business came first, nothing new here. The wind pushed scents of dried grass and dirt through the air.

  “Melanie Taylor Cahill,” Luke announced. “You graduated with a Master’s degree in Speech Pathology from Cal-State Sacramento. You’ve worked at The Children’s Center for Speech & Communication Disorders for two years, with children ages from birth to five-years-old. You primarily visited clients in their home…” Luke’s eyes scanned the text. “You moved onto work at the Growing Tree, a privately-funded speech center for children. Highest ranked early intervention center for children in the entire state…” Luke read a little more and then tucked his phone away in his pocket. He moved closer to her and stopped directly in her front of her and spoke to her like they were shooting the shit, “Tell me what you really think of my daughter.”

  The keys felt heavy in Melanie’s hand. “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Do you have her working with anyone on her speech?”

  “No.”

  “Luke, she’s not where she needs to be. I’m surprised she’s gotten this far without any intervention or support services. Most kids her age can say around one hundred words. She should be putting small words together. She should be communicating at a much higher level.” Melanie held Luke’s gaze, knowing he wouldn’t want to hear the rest, but needed to, in order to understand the severity of Vivian’s situation. “The lack of speech isn’t her only problem. There’s limited eye contact. She doesn’t point or gesture. I tried to get her to mimic some animal noise. A cow says “moo” a horse says “neigh.” She doesn’t understand and most kids her age do. Before she can speak, she needs to make sounds. Without the sounds, she won’t be able to form words, and eventually, string words together in a sentence.” Melanie stopped rambling, unable to tell whether Luke had stopped listening. “It’s imperative she start receiving some sort of therapy soon.” She turned around and clicked up the handle. As an afterthought she added, “Good luck with everything.”

  Luke took one more step in her direction. He stood so close that he breathed warmth down her neck. “Come work for me.”

  Melanie’s fingers missed the door handle. She turned around and faced him. “You’re not serious.”

  “I am serious.” He shut the door when she tried to open it. A grin crept up his lips. “You haven’t heard my offer.”

  “I’m not looking for a new job.”

  “I need someone in the ring with my daughter, fighting for her.”

  “That’s your job.” Melanie leaned against the car, fiddling with the keys. The air in her chest felt thick as dough. “You’re the parent.”

  “Two days from now I’ll be traveling to Maui. Vivian and I will be there for three months. The person I intended to hire today would be going with us, in order to provide the nanny with additional help. I no longer want to hire for that position. I want you to come work for me, for Vivian. Help her with her speech for the duration of our vacation. You will be paid as a full-time employ
ee.”

  “This isn’t ethical—”

  Luke bore his gaze into her eyes. “Forget the ethics. This is you and me talking. You come and work for me for the entire summer. In exchange, I’ll give you that time to locate the tourmalines your brother stole from me.”

  A combination of impatience and fatigue ran through Melanie. It made things worse that she couldn’t stop staring at him. Of course, Luke would make this about himself; about something he lost. “You’re not even trying to be charming. You’re outright bargaining with me. Those stones could be anywhere by now.”

  “Gem hunters always know where their stones end up. I’m confident your brother knows exactly where they are. They’re probably in your mother’s house under his bed. When you find them, I’ll write Mark a letter of support for his release. I’ll forgive him on paper and I’ll tell my contacts at the parole board he’s no longer a threat to society. I’ll give you what you came all the way to ask me for.”

  The chance at securing Mark’s release seemed deceptively easy. She bent her head, sighed, and felt her fingers coil at her side. The implications for this job offer ran deeper than a simple “yes” or “no” response. “This is blackmail.”

  “We both have something the other wants.” Luke stepped back and put a little more distance between them. “We each picked our loyalties. You picked your brother. I’m giving you an opportunity to get what you want. I don’t care about what happened between us in the past. I’m talking about today. I’m talking about right now. Why did you come see me?”

  This might be the only way to help her brother, a point she couldn’t argue with for very long. “I came to help my brother.”

  “Exactly; I’m asking you not to go just yet. Stay the night in town. There are several hotels nearby. I’ll put you up, you think over my offer, and we can negotiate the details in the morning.”

  Melanie stood stock still for more than once in the hour. She didn’t know what to say to him. No part of her wanted to give in and let him win and yet, could she say no? Would she look back on this and wish she’d done this for her brother? There wasn’t any good way to work around Luke’s sudden offer. With her hand behind her, she opened her car door. “I’m going home.” The door swung wide under her fast reaction and she got into the driver’s seat before she could change her mind. “Good-bye, Luke.”