“I agree,” said Destiny, helping herself to another slice. “We need to figure out Cole’s plan. I can guess at Roth’s next move. Between Samuel and his mother, the Hendersons controlled sixty-five percent of Coast Eagle. The other shareholders are minor, mostly companies, none with more than seven percent. But Roth still has a play. If he gets custody, therefore half of the Henderson family shares, and if he can bring the other shareholders on side, he’ll control the board and get himself appointed as president.”
“He doesn’t care anything about Zachary.”
“True, but all but impossible to prove,” said Destiny. “Samuel named him guardian for some reason.”
“If Cole gets custody, he controls all sixty-five percent. He’s invincible.” Amber paused. “But why the ruse?”
“He was obviously looking for information, solidifying his position. That has to be why Luca was cozying up to me.”
“Did you tell Luca anything?”
“Nothing that wasn’t already public. Cole obviously saw you as his primary rival rather than Ross. I’m guessing he was either going to co-opt you or take you out.”
“He must have been shocked when it went in Roth’s favor.”
“And had to suddenly change the game plan. I don’t think they planned it like that.”
“They did have DNA and a marriage certificate at the ready.”
“True,” said Destiny.
Amber took a drink, appreciating the hit of alcohol warming her system. “What do we do now?”
“We need more information on Cole.”
“Maybe I could seduce it out of him. No, wait. I already tried that.”
Destiny gazed at her for a moment, the tone of her voice going softer. “How was it?”
“Seriously?”
Destiny gave a helpless shrug. “What can it hurt to tell me now?”
Amber set down her half-eaten slice of pizza, regret enveloping her. “It was great. He was funny, romantic, totally into me.” She swiped back her hair. “At least he seemed totally into me. Too bad he was faking the whole thing.” Every time she thought about their night together, the humiliation returned. “I’m not sure I can face him again.”
“I could talk to Luca instead. He might give me something we can use.”
“Did you sleep with Luca?”
“Almost. He tried pretty hard.”
Amber held up her glass in a toast. “You’re a stronger woman than me. And you’ve still got that as leverage.”
“I’d have said yes eventually.”
“But you won’t anymore, right?”
“I won’t anymore,” said Destiny. “Well, unless I think it’ll make him talk. Then, well, okay, I’d be willing to take one for the team.”
Eight
“I know she’s here,” Cole said to Luca as he pulled open the steel door of the Coast Eagle hangar. “And she’ll have to be polite.”
He knew Amber wouldn’t dare step out of line at the Coast Eagle children’s Christmas party. She’d have to listen to him.
He walked inside.
Carols chimed from unseen speakers, while soap bubbles drifted around them like snow. White lights and colored balls domed over the ceiling, swooping down in swirls and shapes to meet the concrete floor, which was covered in artificial snow.
There was a giant Christmas tree in the center of the hangar and a forest full of lighted trees and friendly elves. A cookie-decorating station took up one big corner of the room. Another group of elves painted Christmas shapes on the children’s faces. And, of course, Santa was in his castle, posing for pictures and handing out presents.
The festive scene jarred with the frustration swirling inside Cole’s head. In the three days since the hearing, a group of lawyers had poured over Samuel’s will. This morning, they’d all agreed that Cole was a beneficiary, entitled to half of Samuel’s estate.
Cole didn’t want an inheritance. When he’d come forward and announced himself, he hadn’t the slightest inkling he’d be included in the will. He wasn’t here to take anything away from Zachary. Still, he’d use the position if it gave them leverage.
“There she is,” said Luca. “Beside the Christmas-tree forest.”
Cole spotted her. As always, he was immediately struck by her beauty. She wore a bright red dress with white piping. It clung to her slender curves.
He was here to talk. But talking was far down on his wish list. For starters, he wanted to haul her off somewhere and kiss her senseless.
“Mr. Henderson,” Sidney Raines greeted him cheerfully, shaking his hand. “I heard the estate was settled this morning in your favor.”
“Call me Cole. It’s nice to see you again, Sidney.”
Of all the vice presidents, Sidney was easily the more savvy and most reasonable. Cole also liked Max. He was less impressed with Julius, and he was prepared to fight long and hard against Roth.
“It’s probably early on to broach the subject,” said Sidney, glancing around the huge building, “and I realize this isn’t the time or the place, but have you given any thought to what role you’ll take on in the company?”
“It isn’t the time or the place,” said Cole. “But you’re right to ask the question. Would you be able to meet over the weekend?”
“Absolutely. You just name the time and place.”
Cole took out his cell phone. “If you give me your cell number, I’ll call you later on.”
Sidney dictated his phone number, then bowed out.
“It’s a good question,” said Luca.
“I know,” said Cole as the two men started toward the brightly lit forest.
“Do you have any idea what you are going to do?”
Cole’s thinking hadn’t made it past the first couple of moves. “I’m going to find a permanent president.”
He worked fourteen-hour days taking care of Aviation 58. He had to get back there as soon as possible. But he’d accepted that he now had a role in protecting Zachary’s inheritance.
The closer they got to Amber, the more beautiful she became. No surprise to Cole.
Zachary was in her arms, also dressed in red and white, a goofy little hat on his head. Cole couldn’t help but smile at how Zachary reached for the twinkling lights of the closest tree. He’d really missed the little guy.
But then Amber saw him.
Her smile instantly disappeared, and her blue eyes went cold. She took a step, and it was obvious she was going to flee.
Cole quickly crossed the space between them, wrapping a hand around her arm and keeping her close.
Luca wisely hung back.
“Everybody’s watching,” he cautioned her in a low tone. “Smile. Pretend it’s all good between us.”
“Go away.”
“Not a chance. Smile.”
Zachary zeroed in on Cole.
“Gak baw,” he called, lurching toward Cole.
Cole reflexively reached for him. His arm brushed her breast, and the contact sent a surge of energy through his body.
He ordered himself to calm the heck down. “You heard the decision on the will?”
Amber put a brittle smile in place, but her tone was flat. “Congratulations.”
“We have to talk.”
“I don’t have time. I promised Zachary we’d decorate some gingerbread.” She reached for the baby, but he turned his head, clinging tighter to Cole.
“It’ll be easier if I come with you,” said Cole.
“No, it won’t.”
“I’m on your side.”
She scoffed out a laugh. “Is that a joke?” Then she held out her arms to Zachary. “Come on, pumpkin.”
The baby stayed firmly latched to Cole.
Cole couldn’t help feeling sympathetic. “As much as I hate to think about it, I must look like Samuel. Or maybe I sound like him, or smell like him.”
“Zachary loves me, too, you know.”
“Of course he does.”
“He’s known me since birth.”
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“It’s a case of mistaken identity,” said Cole. “Somewhere in his subconscious, he sees me as family.”
“You are family.”
Cole was growing more and more conscious of the interest in their conversation. Nobody had dared come within hearing distance, but there was a lot of pointing and whispering going on amongst the staff.
“Let’s go decorate some gingerbread.”
“Why can’t you just leave?”
“If I give him back, he’s going to make a scene.”
“Was that your plan? I mean today’s plan—use Zachary against me?”
“There was no plan.”
“Do I strike you as stupid?”
“Amber, please. Gingerbread. Let’s just do the gingerbread.”
There must have been a note of desperation in his tone that got her attention because she glanced around, seeming to become aware of the onlookers.
“Right,” she agreed. “Let’s go.”
They moved casually to the rear corner of the hangar. People eyed them speculatively as they did so, but held back. Luca disappeared, obviously understanding that Cole needed to speak with Amber alone.
“Mr. Henderson, Ms. Welsley, Merry Christmas!” called a middle-aged woman as they passed.
“Merry Christmas,” Cole automatically returned.
“Notice you got top billing,” Amber muttered.
“I’m carrying the little rich kid.”
“You are the little rich kid.”
The greeting seemed to break the ice, and they were bombarded with well-wishers all along their route.
Amber was right. While the employees were completely polite and respectful to her, Cole was getting the lion’s share of the attention.
Finally, they came to the cookie-decorating station. The attendants quickly cleared a stand-up table for them, spreading out a new paper cover and bringing an assortment of gingerbread, sugar-cookie shapes, icing and colorful candies.
“Go for it,” said Cole. “Pretend you’re completely absorbed in the cookies, and maybe people will stay away.”
She stared at the tabletop without moving.
“The tree,” Cole prompted. “Decorate the tree with the green icing.”
Amber picked up a plastic knife.
He focused on keeping his expression agreeable as he spoke. “I’m going to need your support.”
She gave another strained smile as she iced the sugar cookie tree. “Like that’s going to happen.”
“I didn’t know about the will.”
“Yes, you did.”
“How would I know? Tell me how I would know.”
“There were ten people in the first reading. Obviously someone leaked the details to you.”
“None of them knew I existed.”
“So you say.”
His voice rose. “I don’t just say. It’s true.”
“The red candies?” she asked him sweetly. “Or the blue and white?”
He took a calming breath. “The red.”
“I like the blue and white.”
“Seriously? You want to argue about candies?”
“I don’t want to argue about anything. I want you to go away. Preferably far away. I hear Alaska’s nice this time of year.”
Cole shifted Zachary in his arms. Happily, the baby was fascinated by the lights, the sounds and the people moving around.
“If you’ll listen to what I have to say, you’ll understand why you need to help me.”
“No, Cole. If I believed what you had to say, I might be inclined to help you. But that’s never going to happen. I’m never going to trust you again.”
“I want what’s best for Zachary.”
“You want what’s best for Cole. And congratulations, you’re halfway there.”
Cole regrouped. “Roth can still take control of the company.”
She dropped a handful of blue and white candies on the freshly iced tree and pressed them firmly down with her palm.
For a moment, he thought she’d crush the cookie.
“I can see you’ve done the math on the share ownership,” she said.
“Do you have any influence with the minor shareholders?”
She flashed another phony smile. “None whatsoever. I’m the lowly assistant director of finance and the stepsister of a flaky trophy wife. Why would anyone listen to me?”
“We can still help each other.”
“Have a cookie, Cole. It’s all you’re ever going to get from me.”
She suddenly scooped Zachary out of his arms.
It took the baby a second to realize what had happened. Then he immediately opened his mouth and let out a cry.
If not for the staff members surrounding them, Cole would have gone after her. Instead, he watched her march away and disappear into the crowd.
Zachary’s cries were soon swallowed by the cheery carols and happy shouts of the other children.
Luca appeared beside him. “Didn’t look like that went too well.”
“She has got to be the most stubborn woman on the planet.” Cole’s gaze fell to the slightly mangled cookie. He picked it up and took a bite.
“Fighting with Amber makes you hungry?”
“It makes me something, that’s for sure.”
He crunched down on the sweetness. Fighting made him want to grab her and squeeze her tight, kiss her hard and press their bodies together. It didn’t matter what insanity swirled around them, he couldn’t forget the night they’d made love, and he couldn’t quell the overriding urge to do it all over again.
* * *
Amber wasn’t going to crack.
It was nearly ten o’clock at night. Zachary had barely napped during the afternoon. He’d fussed through dinner and pouted through his bath. She’d even given him an extra bottle, going through their entire bedtime routine a second time in the hope he’d catch on.
Now he was in his crib, kicking his feet and sobbing. His covers were on the floor. His head was sweaty, and his hands were wrapped tightly around the painted bars.
Her phone rang over the noise, and for a crazy second she hoped it was Cole. If he called her and asked to come over, it wasn’t the same as giving in, was it?
Unfortunately, the number was Destiny’s.
She moved into the hallway, and Zachary’s cries increased behind her.
“Hi,” she said into the phone.
“How’re you doing?”
“Not great.”
“Is that Zachary?”
Amber leaned against the wall of the hallway, sliding down to sit on the plush carpet. “He doesn’t want to settle.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault. Not even his fault. Honestly, I feel like sobbing right along with him.”
“Luca said you saw Cole today?”
Amber knew she should remember his annoying behavior, her anger and his new set of lies. But instead she remembered his touch, his voice and those now-familiar gray eyes.
“At the kids’ party,” she answered Destiny. “Wait, when did you see Luca?”
“Earlier tonight.”
“Why?” What was going on?
“Nothing’s going on. I like Luca, Amber. I’m not giving him any information. He’s not even trying to ask. We both know we have to be circumspect.”
Amber clunked her head back against the cool wall. “I’m sorry. You’re entitled to a personal life.”
“He did say something, though.”
“What’s that?”
“He said that by not helping Cole, you’re de facto helping Roth.”
Amber gave a slightly hysterical laugh. “I thought you were going to say something much more personal. Like you had beautiful eyes or he wanted to see you naked.”
“Oh, he definitely wants to see me naked.”
Amber firmly pushed her own problems away. “You should let him.”
“Excuse me?”
“You want to. I can hear it in your voice.”
&nbs
p; “There’s nothing in my voice that says—”
“Go for it. Your celibacy won’t help me. In fact, it’ll probably distract you from helping me.”
“You want me to have a one-night stand?”
“I had one.” The memories rose one by one in Amber’s mind.
Into the silence, Destiny’s tone turned reflective. “You think you’re the better for it?”
“Not at all. But I’m stuck in the middle of a preposterous circumstance. You’ll be fine.”
“You want some company? Need some reinforcements?”
“You don’t need to come all the way over here.”
Not that Amber wouldn’t welcome the support. Maybe Destiny could take a turn holding Zachary. He was still crying, and it was all but impossible to steel herself against his sadness.
“I’m five minutes away,” said Destiny.
“You are?”
“Just left a meeting at Bacharat’s. You know, that private lawyers’ club? You’re on my route home.”
“Then, yes, sure. Stop by.”
“Sounds good. It might take me a few minutes to park.”
“See you then.” Amber disconnected the call.
Feeling a bit lighter, she headed back into Zachary’s bedroom. He had pulled up on his feet and was gripping the top of the crib rail. His cheeks were flushed red and damp with tears.
“Oh, sweetheart,” she said out loud, lifting him into her arms. “How can I help?”
He cried harder.
She racked her brain. “What about some music? Want to watch videos?”
Zachary seemed to have a fondness for country and western, especially the drawling male singers.
With no better ideas, she carried him to the living room and tuned in the country station. It didn’t fix the problem, but at least it gave something to blend with his cries.
Then the knock came on her door.
“I know you’re too young to understand,” she said to Zachary as they crossed the living room, “but my arms are about to get a rest, and that’s a very good thing.”
She swung open the door.
Cole stood in front of her, Otis at his heels.
She was stunned. “You’re supposed to be Destiny.”
“I saw her in the lobby.”
At the sound of Cole’s voice, Zachary swung around.
“She said she’d give me ten minutes,” said Cole.
The Missing Heir Page 11