by Piper Rayne
“Tahlia, darling.” My dad urges me to leave the row since it’s our turn.
I stand and slide out of my aisle, glancing over my shoulder, finding Lucas still there, watching his father’s body lower to the ground. I stop and turn, causing Caterina to run into my back.
“Walk much?” she sneers.
I don’t answer but watch Lucas’ chest rise and fall with labored breaths. I take a step in his direction, my feet moving of their own accord. The pain on his face shows in his tight lips, his eyes closing and opening. He’s pushing back his tears.
“That must be the son,” my father says, swiveling me around and leading me to the golf carts. “I can’t imagine how he feels.” My dad continues to talk on the way to the golf cart. “Michael found out the company has been left to him.”
“What?” My voice is hollow.
“Tavern Meats and Selections is his even though he doesn’t want it. It might be time for me to make a bold move.” My dad’s lips turn up before he grows serious again. “Today isn’t the day for us to talk business though.”
We reach the golf cart and I take a seat, my gaze once again fixating on Lucas. At the same time the golf cart drives off, he turns around and walks the opposite way, his hands stuffed into his pockets and his shoulders sagging as he descends a hill away from where everyone else is headed.
A half hour into the reception and the room is packed while I pace outside the front entrance, waiting for what, I’m not sure. Lucas hasn’t arrived, although I guess he could have gone in through a back door. Who knows how many entrances this mansion has?
The urge to go in there screaming and yelling that he lied to me burns in my belly. He’s always been truthful. At least I thought so. I trusted him and now my fragile heart breaks for him and because of him all the same.
I walk toward the door, the handle in my hand, but shake my head and turn around. My dad gave me an out from the company. I can’t repay him by spitting in his face, which is exactly what I’d be doing if I made a scene. I’m not sure if it’s luck or not, but Lucas opens the front door, not seeming at all surprised to see me standing there. Without a word, he grasps my upper arm and guides me to the garage.
I shrug out of his hold but he grabs my arm again, this time with more strength than he’s ever used with me, not letting go until we’re behind closed doors. Closed doors that hide about ten vintage, restored cars.
“Go ahead,” he says, sitting on a stool in front of a pristine-looking work bench, fiddling with his keys.
“What?” I ask, confused.
“Go ahead. Yell, scream, whatever you want to do.” There’s no emotion in his voice and somehow that makes all this worse.
“How could you have lied to me?”
“How could I have told you?”
“You told me you’d never lie.” The words leave my lips in a hoarse whisper.
“I never lied.”
“A lie by omission is still a lie, Lucas,” I say.
He concentrates on the keys in his hand. “Come for a drive with me.”
“No. I don’t know you.” I pace across the concrete floor.
“You know me.”
I stop, looking him square in the eye. “I don’t know you, Lucas. Your last name isn’t even Cummings. You’re one of them.” My mind floods and I can’t reason fast enough. “You’re a silver-spoon kid. One who’s gotten everything he ever wanted. I’m such an idiot. Well, good act, Lucas Tavern. You sure fooled me.”
He stands and steps over to me. Tears start to brim my eyes when he places his hands on my shoulders. Everything that I believed about him is a lie.
“Tahl, I am Lucas Cummings. I left my family five years ago and I changed my name because I didn’t want anyone to judge me based on my last name. Surely you understand that.”
I brush his hands off me. “You could have told me the truth. You acted like you were just some average Joe, but you’re a billionaire.”
“My dad is a billionaire.”
“And now you are. I heard the company is yours. Congratulations.” I hit myself in the forehead. How stupid could I have been? “You got close to me because I’m a Santora! It’s all an act, isn’t it? You only befriended me because you knew who I was and you thought you could get some kind of inside dirt on the company.”
“No,” he bites out. He closes the gap between us and I’m blocked from behind by an SUV of some type. His hands clasp on my cheeks, our eyes meeting. “I fell in love with you and I was scared shitless that you wouldn’t accept this part of my past.”
“You lied, Lucas.”
I swallow down the exhilaration of hearing ‘I love you’ from his lips. This morning there was nothing I wanted to hear more, but I don’t want to be told like this. Not when he’s taken a sledgehammer to my heart and left it in pieces. There’s nothing left to beat for him and so his declaration only makes me feel…empty.
“I know. I tried so many times. I’ve been as honest as I can be. I didn’t want this company. I didn’t want this life. I figured once he was buried, you’d never have to worry about it after I sign the company over.”
I shake my head. “I have no idea if you’re telling the truth.”
“I am.”
“You’re Lucas Tavern,” I say more for myself than to him, still astonished at this information. I stare at the floor, my mind reeling, too many thoughts whizzing by to try to make sense of any of them. “I have to go.” I rush to the door, but he’s there with his hand on the handle before I can open it.
“I love you, Tahlia. I’d love you whether your last name was Santora or otherwise. I’m the guy you think I am. The one who lives in an apartment above a boxing gym and works for every penny he spends. The fact that I was born with a different last name shouldn’t matter. Please, we can work this out,” he whispers, his voice breaking.
“See, that’s the problem with lies, Lucas. You tell one and they taint everything that comes out of your mouth…even if it is the truth. I don’t know that I can ever trust you again.”
He sighs, his hand falling from the door.
I open it but he slams it shut again. He swings me around so our eyes lock. Then he smashes his lips to mine, his tongue parting my lips and sliding in to touch mine. For a brief few seconds, I’m lost in the love of Lucas Cummings, matching his fevered pace. Physical sparks were never our problem. My hands move up to his hard chest and I push him off me.
“I’m sorry,” I say and open the door, needing to put some distance between myself and the man I’m not sure I can live with, but whom I feel I can’t live without.
27
A week that feels like a year later, I walk into my office to find Michael sitting in my desk chair. “Midge, please call security,” I say as I enter, taking off my coat and then placing it on the coat hook.
He smiles. “Just seeing how my new office will feel.” He leans back in his chair. “Would you like me to box up your items for you?” he asks.
I roll my eyes, sitting down in the chair across from him. I loathe him, but maybe he’s the right fit for this company, though I worry about his loyalty and trustworthiness. A knock sounds on the door and I turn to find Midge.
“Miss Santora, your father just called a meeting in the conference room. He’d like both you and Mr. Plotter to attend.” She waits for our answer, like either one of us would decline.
“Thanks, Midge.”
Michael stands and then holds out his arm. “After you, princess,” he says.
I stand, grabbing my phone, a pad and a pen.
“Party planning, huh?” Michael asks on the way to the conference room.
“Yep.”
“You’ll have no nights or weekends for yourself.”
I shrug and keep walking. “Maybe.”
“Your Saturday nights will always be booked.”
A sharp pang invades my chest. “I should press pause on my dating life anyway.”
“Damn, and I was going to try my luck again.”
We hit the conference room doors and I swing around to look at him. “Sorry, you’re not my type.” I open the door while still looking behind me at Michael and he comes to an abrupt stop, his eyes wide. I turn and glance around the conference room wondering what’s caught him by surprise.
Lucas is here.
My stomach plummets and my mouth dries up so much that only the tall drink of water sitting across from my father would be able to quench it. Before Lucas can see my reaction to his presence I straighten my back and walk all the way in.
“What is he doing here?” I sneer, uncaring if my father picks up on my animosity toward his visitor.
“Tahlia, sit,” my dad says, patting the spot next to him which will leave me right across from Lucas.
“Let me get some coffee first.” I walk toward the coffee station, needing to buy a few seconds to compose myself. I haven’t seen him since his father’s funeral and though I’ve found myself wanting to reach out to him, missing him desperately, I haven’t. He made his choices and I’m not sure I can accept them.
“Hurry, please. I have business to attend to,” my dad comments.
“Isn’t this meeting about business?” I ask.
“Don’t be smart, Tahlia. Michael, sit down next to Lucas.”
Michael skittishly slides into his seat like he’s late for geometry. That cocky flair he usually walks with is long gone.
Lucas raises from his chair and a second later he’s beside me. “Allow me.” Lucas picks up the coffee pot and pours me a cup.
“Thank you,” I manage to squeeze out, trying to ignore the smell of his usual scent, soap and musk, and all the happy memories I attach to that smell.
My hand moves for the milk, but he quickly grabs it.
“I’ll do it.” He tilts it toward my cup.
He might have destroyed my faith in men, he might have destroyed my heart, but he will not destroy my coffee. “I don’t think so.” I hold my hand out for him to pass it, which he doesn’t.
Instead he splashes some in my cup. I huff and a low chuckle leaves his throat.
Jackass.
Before I have the chance to grab two sugar packets, he has two in his hand.
Stubborn jackass.
Ignoring his offer, I reach in front of him, blocking his access to my cup.
“Oh, you take sugar, too?” I ask and he laughs again and rips the two packets at the same time I rip mine.
We both end up dumping the packets into my cup, effectively ruining my coffee.
“Uh,” I mumble.
“I’ll take that one,” he says, moving his hand over to take it.
“Forget it. I don’t need coffee that badly anyway.” I stalk off and sit down next to my father.
“Whenever you’re ready, Lucas,” my dad says in a way sweeter voice than he’d use with me.
“Yeah, no rush.” I roll my eyes and my dad glances over to me with furrowed brows. “Take your time. I’m sure you have nowhere to be.”
While Lucas makes us wait, I tap my foot and realize Michael is sweating. He grabs a napkin and blots his forehead and he looks like he’s swallowing a hair ball or something with the way his Adam’s apple keeps moving.
“You okay?” I ask and he nods his head unconvincingly.
“Here,” Lucas says, sliding a coffee cup in front of me.
I glance at the color and it looks similar to my usual concoction. “Thank you,” I say, sitting up straighter in my chair and taking a sip.
Damn him. It’s perfect.
He raises his eyebrows at me, implying that I should trust him to make me a cup of coffee.
Whatever.
Lucas slides into the chair across from me, unbuttoning his suit jacket before he sits. It’s a practiced move, one he looks like he’s done a million times before, and it tells me that he’s used to clothes like that. No surprise there, I suppose. He probably grew up wearing suits every day.
“So, we have two agendas today, and only one needs your attention. Michael.” My dad glares over at an already antsy Michael.
“Yes, sir.” Michael’s back straightens to attention with my dad’s voice.
My eyes ping-pong between the two of them as I wonder what the hell is going on, but I can’t help noticing the smug look on Lucas’s face.
“You should be extremely happy that Mr. Tavern came to me directly. Otherwise, you’d be whisked away in handcuffs right now. I’ve been informed that you approached Lucas and told him things about Santora Sausage that were confidential in the hopes of gaining employment at his company. I suppose until you found out that Tahlia is leaving the company you thought your opportunities were better elsewhere. Not to worry, you’re free to do what you like now. Effective immediately, your employment here is terminated.”
A knock sounds on the door and my father’s assistant opens the door for two security personnel.
“He’s lying! I was trying to get an in with their company.” Michael’s gaze swings to Lucas. “He’s a no one, a guy who had his whole life handed to him and he walked away from it. You can’t trust what he says.” The security personnel pry him up from the chair and my eyes widen as I glance from my dad to Michael, purposely diverting my gaze away from Lucas.
“One last piece of advice, Michael. If you ever want to run a company, don’t underestimate those around you. Did you really think I didn’t know that Hugh Tavern had a son that the company was going to be handed down to? Good luck in your future endeavors and don’t use me as a reference.” Michael begins to reply but my dad holds his hand up in the air. “That is all.” He nods to the security guards and they drag Michael with them as they exit.
“Whoa,” I say. “What a week full of surprises. Must be my birthday or something.” This time I allow my eyes to land on Lucas, who cocks his jaw to the side.
“Rhonda, will you please excuse us,” my dad says to his assistant, who is still standing at the door.
She nods and files out of the room, shutting the door behind her. My dad stands to make his own cup of coffee.
I sip mine. Damn him. Lucas might not be able to make good coffee, but he knows how to mix my perfect cup.
That cocky grin appears again, so I place the cup down and slide it across the table.
“Oh, come on. You won’t even drink the coffee I made you?” Lucas whispers over the table.
“Tainted,” I say.
“I want to talk,” he says, leaning forward. “Clear the air between us.”
“No,” I mouth because now that I’ve calmed down a bit I don’t want my dad to know we were together.
He tilts his head and gives me puppy dog eyes, silently begging me to get over the anger and to move into makeup phase.
“So, Tahlia. I understand you already know Lucas.” My dad sits down with his coffee.
I guess not trying to let my dad know Lucas and I were a thing was a wasted effort. I glare at Lucas and cross my arms over my chest. “Not this version.”
Lucas huffs and the tiniest bit of guilt invades me for a second. Then I push it aside because I’m not the one who hid who I am.
“I’m going to apologize for my daughter. She gets this stubborn side from her mother.” My dad laughs and I turn to look at him, narrowing my eyes.
“Dad, you do understand that he lied to me?”
“I do.” He nods and looks at Lucas. “But I think you need to hear him out.”
“Whatever.”
“Tahlia, you’re not a teenager, nor should you talk like one.”
I swear I’m a second away from stomping out of here in true sixteen-year-old girl fashion. “Why are you involved in our business?” I ask my dad, pointing between Lucas and me.
“Tavern and Santora are going to merge,” my dad announces and Lucas’ gaze falls to the table.
“See.” I stand up. “You were into me just for my family’s company. I knew it.” I start circling the table like a hawk hunting its next meal. “You only wanted me because of my last name.�
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Lucas stands, his chair slamming against the wall, and he stalks toward me. Grabbing both my upper arms, he stops me from moving.
“Damn it, Tahlia. Listen for once before jumping to conclusions. Did I know who you were? I did. Let’s remember I pieced that information together after you lied to me and said you were a Pilates instructor.” I glance over to my father for a beat, feeling ashamed for initially lying about my job. “I tried to stay away from you.”
“Well, you did a piss-poor job of it.” I roll my eyes, jutting out a hip.
“You’re right, I did. After that night on the boat, I hit up Google after Chase referred to you as the sausage queen. And I was going to stay away. I was. But I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I needed to see you one last time and then when I saw you leave Santora’s building with that dipshit, I couldn’t keep my distance.”
“Convenient, don’t you think?”
His hands leave my skin and he throws them up in the air. “You’re impossible.”
“Tahlia, sit down.” My dad uses his stern parenting voice and I feel like I’m thirteen again, and just had a hair tugging fight with Caterina.
I sit down and Lucas changes seats to sit in the one right next to me. He positions his chair to face me and takes my hands in his, staring into my eyes.
“I fell in love with you, Tahlia. But you made it known that what you loved about me was that I didn’t have money, I didn’t have clout. I took you to that speakeasy and you weren’t impressed. You wanted to leave and do something that cost me barely anything. So I did, but in that moment I knew that if I told you, I risked losing you. When Audrey met me after the fight to tell me how ill my father had become, I didn’t know what to do.”
“You could have told me, Lucas,” I say, surprised at how calm my voice is.
“My entire life was crumbling. I knew he was going to leave the company to me. It was always important to him that it stay in the family. It was his last failed attempt to keep me involved. I was trying to figure it all out, but in truth, I should have told you. I can see that now. If I lose you because of that, then I will live my life with that as my biggest regret. But I don’t want to lose you.” He pauses for a second. “I need to know…do you love me?” he asks.