by Lynn Emery
Helena and Nicole retrieved glasses from the tray and sat in two wing back chairs across from her. They exchanged a glance, then sipped from their glasses to buy time.
“Well?” Analine prompted when neither spoke immediately.
“I talked to Francine a week ago. Jolene and Russell are still scheming. Watch your back, Nicole,” Helena put in.
“Hosea did a poor job raising those two. Of course what can you expect? He was practically an old man when they were born.” Analine pursed her lips in disapproval.
“Mother, that family gossip is over thirty years ago.” Helena waved a hand.
Analine swept on. “He married a woman half his age, got her pregnant, and spoiled both children rotten. Then when they became problem children he blamed it all on her.” She repeated Uncle Hosea’s crime as though it had happened yesterday.
“No wonder the poor woman ran off with the mailman,” Nicole said with a shrug.
“Insurance salesman,” Analine corrected. “Her father tried to cut her off without a dime, but her grandfather wouldn’t hear of it. Now those children can see Clarice without worrying Hosea will disinherit them.”
“Interesting, but I want to know what kind of ‘scheming’ Russell and Jolene are doing,” Nicole cut in before her mother could go on.
“Francine says they’re so transparent it’s hilarious, which doesn’t make them harmless, Mother.” Helena looked at Analine.
“Stanton and Lionel will keep them from interfering,” Analine replied.
“The will does say that Nicole can be removed as CEO by a vote of the board. If she engages in questionable behavior that might harm the company or doesn’t increase profits by at least eight percent in twelve months, the board is almost required to dump her.” Helena chewed her bottom lip until her raisin lipstick was gone.
“We’re expanding and signing up new customers. I could increase revenue by twice that amount. If I can show that we have signed contracts that will increase profits by eight percent or more, then the twelve-month deadline doesn’t apply and I’m in.” Nicole crossed her legs and lifted her tumbler.
“What are they up to? Not that it matters.” Analine looked at Helena.
“Jolene is raising questions about Nicole’s decisions and her behavior.”
“Which brings us back to my earlier question. What have you done to give them ammunition, Nicole?” Analine raised a palm when Nicole started to speak. “I know you.”
Nicole hissed with frustration. She had a wild itch to tell her mother exactly what she’d been up to with Marcus. After all, they were both adults, single, and fully within their rights to have an affair. To hell with the family, she thought fiercely. Not even control freak Uncle Hosea had considered that possibility when he’d drafted his insane last wishes. Yet she held back. There wouldn’t just be her formidable mother to consider; the rest of the family would weigh in, too. Nicole needed to be in an unassailable position of strength first. She pushed down her gut reaction to challenge authority. Instead she took a deep cleansing breath and entered her persuasive zone, the mind-set she assumed in order to get what she wanted.
“So far Russell has been more a nuisance than a major problem. I came up with a new tactic—let him be in charge without giving him any authority. It’s worked so far. The idiot.” Nicole grimaced. “The good news is the staff has come around. We’re working as a team.”
“The Nicole magic wins again, eh?” Helena’s mouth stretched into a thin smile. She darted an uneasy glance at Analine.
“Ultimately performance, not charisma, will satisfy the family,” Analine said.
“Mother, nobody has worked harder than Nicole in the last few weeks. She and Marcus have done an effective job of making the transition smooth. Not only that, Nicole has put in long hours learning about the business from the ground up and—” Helena clamped off her speech when Analine glared at her.
“Don’t lecture me,” Analine clipped. “This is the first time Nicole has had to take on such significant responsibility. I want to make sure she understands.”
“What she means is I’ve been leading a cushy life so far,” Nicole said, her tone droll.
“You’re very smart, Nicole.”
“Gee thanks,” Nicole muttered.
“Too smart for your own good sometimes,” Analine continued.
“I knew more was coming.” Nicole glanced at her sister, who shook her head in warning.
“Running a company requires that you learn to compromise. I hope you realize that by now. You can be difficult, stubborn, flighty, and demanding.” Analine looked down her nose at Nicole.
“Hmm, I wonder where I got that demanding gene?” Nicole raised an eyebrow at her mother.
“You also have a smart mouth, Nicole Marie,” her mother snapped.
“Don’t faint, but I agree with you. I’ve been making an extra effort to curb my shortcomings.”
Her mother wore a doubtful frown. “Really?”
“Yes. Russell has been really testing me, but so far I haven’t broken. That’s exactly what he wants me to do.”
“Let’s hope you can keep up the effort,” her mother said dryly.
“Marcus has been a great help smoothing the waters when I’ve been stressed. He really has become my right hand,” Nicole added. She planned to skillfully mention Marcus when talking to her parents from now on. That way their being a couple wouldn’t be such a shock in the future.
“Then this challenge has been the best thing for you.” Analine launched into a stream of advice.
Nicole smiled crookedly at her sister while their mother chattered on. She was quite content to let Analine assume credit for “setting her on the right path,” as she no doubt would tell their relatives. Rosaria came back into the room.
“I’ve set the table in the sunroom, Miss Nicole.”
“Thanks, Rosaria,” Analine said as though she were in charge. She followed Rosaria out of the room. “I’m starving. This diet has been such a bore. I hope you’ve got more than fruit.”
“Oh, yes, ma’am. I baked fresh croissants. They’re still warm.” Rosaria described her menu with enthusiasm.
Helena stood. She peered around the door before she looked back at Nicole and laughed. “You’re dangerous, brat. I don’t know of anybody that could have pulled that off on Mother, except maybe Daddy.”
“I told the truth.” Nicole lifted her nose in the air.
“Yeah, and that’s even more scary.” Helena’s dark eyes narrowed until she looked like a younger version of their mother. “You’re up to something for sure.”
“Oh, don’t you start.” Nicole flipped a hand in the air. “Let’s eat.”
“Okay, but one more thing. A lot of people in our crowd think Russell was wronged. That includes some of our relatives.” Helena looped her arm through Nicole’s as they walked down the hall to the sunroom.
“I don’t give a rat’s behind what they think,” Nicole retorted.
“You’re sure there’s nothing else that might blow up in your face?” Helena pressed.
“Stop it. You’re sounding more like Mother the older you get,” Nicole joked.
“You have a knack for doing things that create the most drama. Try to resist for at least another year. Okay?” Helena’s hold on Nicole’s arm tightened.
“On my honor as a girl scout.” Nicole raised her right hand.
“They kicked you out of Troop K after that water balloon incident, only the last of a string of crimes.”
“Will you let it go already?” Nicole laughed at her. “I told them you had nothing to do with it.”
“Nicole,” Helena said testily.
“Alright, alright. I’m on the path of respectability, I promise.”
“Good. Russell may be a fumbler, but Jolene is one cunning witch. Pair her up with that jackal of a husband and they could do some damage. Francine and I will watch those two.”
“Please don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.” Nicole
smiled at her. Despite her words of assurance she decided to examine the will herself again. She would dissect every sentence just to be sure.
“Hey, Marcus.” Shaun slapped him on the shoulder when he walked into the second-floor snack shop of the health club. Female heads swiveled when the smoothly muscled man in red and blue biking shorts and a white tank shirt passed.
Marcus shifted the sport bag to his left hand. He accepted a tall cup of mixed fruit smoothie from the woman behind the counter.
“You’re late,” Marcus said shortly.
“I’m a businessman even on Sunday, brother.” Shaun turned his charm on the blond. “Got somethin’ for me, sugar?”
“Always, Shaun,” she said with a giggle.
They sat down at a small round table that faced a glass wall overlooking the interior of the health club. An athletic woman the color of cinnamon led about thirty people in a kick-boxing workout below.
“How’s it going with that fine new boss of yours?” Shaun rubbed his hands together. He eyed the woman below.
“You should know. Aliyah is giving you the 411, right?” Marcus said evenly.
Shaun’s attention snapped back to him. “What you talkin’ ’bout?” he said, slipping back into the dialect from their Fifth Ward days.
“You know damn well what I’m talking about,” Marcus replied. “She’s coming on to me like she knows my business.”
“Nah, brother!” Shaun visibly relaxed. He smiled and spread his arms wide. “I wouldn’t run my mouth to a woman.”
Marcus stared at him. He considered Shaun’s words and his body language for a few seconds. In Shaun’s view women were a means to an end. Still, he needed to make a point. Marcus loved Shaun like a brother, but he also knew his flaws.
“You shouldn’t be talking to anyone. Not some guy you think can help me or some woman you think has inside information. No one.” Marcus stabbed a forefinger at Shaun’s nose.
“Okay. You wanna be on your own, then you got it.” Shaun affected an injured look. “We’ve always had each other’s back is all I’m saying. I’m feeling sorta left out here lately.”
“Who have you been talking to?” Marcus said, ignoring the pained expression.
“I know a dude who works for a dude who knows a dude in the security business. I didn’t mention your name.” Shaun abandoned his guilt trip for the moment. He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “You’re highly thought of around this town. You can take as many Summers Security clients as you want.”
“But you didn’t mention my name.” Marcus crossed his arms.
“No way. I asked about the top security firms. Being in insurance, I told him my clients can get rate reductions if they have good alarm systems or even on-site guards.” Shaun warmed to the subject. “Summers Security is still considered tops, but only because of you. There’s a lot of skepticism about Nicole.”
“She’s smart and learning fast,” Marcus said. Shaun’s eyebrows went up, a signal that Marcus had slipped. “Even if she does lack experience in security and management,” he added with a shrug.
“Good intentions aren’t enough in a competitive environment. She can’t keep up. This dude says the security business is changing rapidly since this terrorist threat started.” Shaun glanced around before continuing.
“Everybody is running to keep up with the latest technology. I was thinking we could add a few forensic people as contract employees. Folks with expertise on handwriting analysis, identity theft, and a forensic accountant.” Marcus stared down at the bouncing and kicking group below.
“See? That’s what I mean.” Shaun pointed at him. “No way baby can beat you. Man, we can end up—”
Marcus glanced at him sharply. “What’s with the ‘we’ stuff?”
“You provide the security and I’ll specialize in insurance policies against terrorist acts. Hell, we both know most businesses won’t be targeted. But they don’t know it. What with the media scaring folks to death every day, selling security systems and insurance should be a breeze.”
“Where does the money come from to pay claims?” Marcus squinted at him. When Shaun’s grin widened he knew the answer.
“What claims? We bag the premiums, invest the money, and close up shop. Of course we hand them off to another company.”
“Small or even medium-sized businesses can’t afford expensive policies. The word fraud comes to mind. We’d be misleading them.” Marcus waved a hand. “Forget it.”
“Hey, think big.”
“I’m thinking about possible jail time,” Marcus shot back.
“We’ve been through tough times and we always survived. I think about those days. Remember Spiderman?” Shaun played his ace.
When they were fifteen years old, a gang member had targeted Marcus. Spiderman and Marcus had circled each other for days until a contrived confrontation had led to a showdown. Two days later shots had rung out as Marcus had walked down the street on an errand for his grandmother. Shaun had appeared out of an alley and yanked him to safety. Spiderman had been shot the next day. Paralyzed from the neck down, he’d ended up in a nursing facility at seventeen. Shaun hinted he’d “taken care of” the problem. Marcus didn’t believe him. Spiderman had more dangerous enemies in their world. Still Shaun had saved his life. Though he recognized the manipulation, Marcus had a rush of guilt at the sharp tone he’d used with him.
“Like I could forget the thug who tried to take me out.”
“Then you know I’d never put you in danger.” Shaun clamped a large hand on his forearm and squeezed. “No way, no how, for nobody on this earth.”
“I know,” Marcus said finally.
In charge again, Shaun released his grip and sat back. His breezy smile returned. “Back to Aliyah. I let her think we’re exchanging information. All the time she’s telling me way more than I’m telling her.”
Marcus had a picture of the two of them trying to outsmart each other. Despite Shaun’s opinion, Marcus did not think Aliyah was so easily duped. “You better be careful. Not all women are dumb. And not all of them lose their common sense over what you’ve got,” he added quietly.
“Can’t prove it by me,” Shaun quipped with a wink. “Ghetto girls or CEOs with advanced degrees, it doesn’t matter. Combine the right sweet talk with good love and you got a fool for life.”
Marcus gazed at his friend and saw a reflection of himself to a degree. Though he hadn’t been such a blatant user, Marcus had left behind women with barely a backward glance. He could brush off the most expert flirtation unless he wanted companionship, though he hadn’t been able to brush off one particular set of alluring eyes.
“You’ll meet your match one day,” he mumbled, more to himself than to Shaun.
Shaun flashed a smile at a passing woman. “Say what?”
Marcus shook his head. “Nothing. I get the feeling Aliyah is after more than Russell. I’m wondering if you two have joined forces in some plot.” He studied Shaun for signs of guilt.
“Not really. She thought I’d be able to give her some inside info since you and I are pals. I put her off.” Shaun waved a hand as though the matter was trivial.
“Uh-huh. Well, she seems to think I’d be interested in jumping through hoops for her. I’m not,” Marcus said pointedly.
“All I’m sayin’ is this,” Shaun replied, lapsing once more into his old speech pattern. His affable demeanor slipped away, and the hard street kid came back. “Aliyah’s got skills when it comes to men.”
“I’m not looking for a girlfriend, Shaun.”
“I’m not talkin’ about bling-bling in the bedroom. She can get weak-minded dudes to do almost anything. And our buddy Russell is the weakest I’ve seen. She’s got his tongue hangin’ out, brother. You make friends with her and she can get him to do just what you want with that company.”
“No.” Marcus shook his head hard.
“I know you’ve got your own plan to deal with Nicole. Once she’s outta the way, you’re still stuck w
ith this Russell fool. Aliyah can convince him to sell out to you. Ain’t that what you want?”
“Like you said, I’ve got my own plans. Those plans don’t include trusting Aliyah,” Marcus said low and with intensity.
“She couldn’t blow your cover without you blowing hers. Hey, lots of business arrangements are built on quid pro quo.” Shaun lifted a shoulder as if his logic was obvious.
“I’m not sure I want to go through with my original plan anyway. Even if I did, I sure wouldn’t include Aliyah.” Marcus drank the last few ounces of his smoothie.
“You got some other brilliant move, huh? C’mon, let your boy in on it.” Shaun’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Marcus tapped his fingertips on the table for a few minutes. “Okay, I’m thinking maybe starting my own security company can wait. I gave Nicole’s dad my word and—”
“Whoa, whoa. Back it up.” Shaun waved both hands as though directing traffic. “What’s with this ‘I gave my word’ nonsense?”
“I don’t have to step on her for something the old man did. Her uncle promised to sell me the company, not her.”
Shaun glanced around. The last couple seated at a table left. They were now alone. The counter girls were busy gossiping at the other end of the snack shop.
“Those people will walk all over you, man. They’ll get rich off what you know and make sure you never become serious competition.”
“Nicole’s dad has already figured out I plan to be my own boss one day. They didn’t get rich by being dumb, Shaun.” Marcus smiled. “I kinda like the old dude and her uncle Lionel.”
Shaun’s eyes narrowed. “Nah, I’m not buying that line.” He studied Marcus for a long moment. A smile spread across his face. “You plan to marry into the money and the business. Now that’s the Marcus Reed I know.”
“You don’t understand.”
Marcus remembered the fresh taste of Nicole. She was sweet and sharp, like the finest Creole hot sauce. Against all reason he wanted Nicole to show her family she could stand on her own.
“Damn, I can’t believe this! You have lost your mind over a woman.” Shaun’s expression was a combination of dismay and disappointment.