Scandalous Secrets

by Synithia Williams

  Zoe shook her head, but he kissed her again until she let out a sexy whimper. Her margarita hit the floor and her hands wrapped around his shoulders. The door to the pool house opened. Lilah squeaked. “Oh, my God! I knew you two would fall in love again!”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  ZOE REVIEWED HER checklist as she made her way to the front office of TJA Manufacturing. She could understand why Elaina wanted to buy the place. The company was housed in a former textile facility that now processed hemp. With the increase in uses not only for the fibers but also the oil, the facility had the potential to generate a huge profit. Due to a series of accidents the plant was behind on production. Zoe went over the accident reports and the training records. The previous management didn’t care about meeting or keeping employees up-to-date on the latest safety regulations.

  The new plant manager, Mr. Dickerson, was trying, but hadn’t been able to get the owners to invest in the changes.

  Zoe knocked on Mr. Dickerson’s door and entered after he waved her in. “I’ve finished my walk-through.”

  Mr. Dickerson was a tall white man with a bulky figure that reminded her of a bodybuilder or football player with blond hair thinning at the top. When she’d first arrived, his blue eyes glared at her through his glasses. She didn’t need to be told he wasn’t happy about her arrival. For a moment she’d second-guessed herself as he eyed her skeptically. Then she’d remembered all the work she’d done at Valtec and OSHA before that. The improvements she’d made and efficiencies that resulted from her hard work. Valtec may not have appreciated what she had to offer, but Elaina was giving her a chance. She’d squared her shoulders, looked Mr. Dickerson dead in the eye and told him what she would need in order to complete her assessment. Surprisingly, he hadn’t pushed back and had given her what she wanted with no problems.

  He motioned for Zoe to sit in the visitor’s chair across from his desk. “What do you think?”

  “There are things we can do to increase production like updating the equipment. That would not only improve morale but also increase employee safety.”

  He shifted in his chair and eyed her warily. “That’s great to hear, but I don’t know if this will help. I’ve asked for changes for months and they keep saying there aren’t enough funds to make any changes. I think they’re planning to shut the place down.”

  He looked at her as if she had the answer. Zoe wished she did. She wasn’t sure how Elaina had gotten her this visit, but she had a feeling Mr. Dickerson thought Zoe worked for the owners. She wasn’t going to alarm him by mentioning Elaina was considering purchasing the facility.

  “I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know the problems you have aren’t insurmountable. I’ll be sure to make that clear in my report.”

  Zoe hoped Elaina purchased the place and turned it around. Not only did the facility have potential, but if Zoe helped correct some of their deficiencies then she’d have more credibility, too. The idea of being a risk management consultant had taken hold since her talk with Elaina, and Zoe wasn’t sure she’d be able to shake it.

  Mr. Dickerson nodded. “That’s all I can ask, I guess.”

  “Thank you for your time.” Zoe held out her hand to him.

  He took hers in a firm grip and shook once. “I’ll walk you out.”

  After Zoe was back in the car, she turned on the ignition and pulled out her cell phone. She turned the air-conditioning on blast to combat the sauna inside the car from the hot sun. Her phone battery was nearly dead. Lilah had snatched the car charger the day before. She sent a quick text to Byron, letting him know she was leaving Raleigh before dialing Elaina’s number. Elaina answered on the second ring.

  “Well, is it worth the effort?” Elaina went straight to the point instead of greeting Zoe.

  “It is. Are there problems if you buy it, yes, but nothing that can’t be resolved. It’s also going to take a big investment. Equipment needs updating, training programs need to be implemented. You may even need some facility upgrades. Most of the problems come from a lack of maintenance.”

  “I can handle all of that,” Elaina said with the confidence of a Robidoux.

  Zoe couldn’t help but smile. Maybe she’d borrow some of Elaina’s confidence and put it toward her idea to start her own business. “I have no doubt you can.”

  “My dad’s not doing anything with it,” Elaina said, sounding disgusted. “He won’t even miss it or care.”

  “Does he know you’re the one making the offer?”

  “No, I’m working through a liaison. He has a partner, but that partner will be fine once I purchase the place and turn it into something.” Elaina’s voice held a warning.

  Zoe put the car in gear and drove out of the parking lot. “I won’t tell your dad anything, but I did give Byron a heads-up. I don’t like being in the middle of your family fight.”

  Zoe was already too engrained in the family and couldn’t see an easy way out. Lilah was convinced Zoe and Byron were in love after seeing them kiss. While Zoe hadn’t planned to keep her relationship with Byron a secret, she wasn’t sure how to manage her daughter’s expectations. Instead, she’d gotten wrapped up in the comfort of being with Byron and let her guard down, and now Lilah’s happiness was at stake. Zoe didn’t want to see her daughter’s disappointment if Zoe and Byron didn’t work out.

  “You’re already in the middle, and you’re already a part of our family’s power plays,” Elaina said.

  “Which is why I feel a little weird about helping you take your father’s company after everything he and Byron have done.”

  Elaina laughed as if Zoe was being foolish. “Don’t think my family hasn’t looked for ways to use you to further their own gains. That’s what my dad does and encourages.”

  Zoe had sat through enough strategy sessions to know Elaina was right. “Byron is trying to help me.” He’d stopped the emails from coming after realizing they were from a spamming site. Given her time to get back on her feet after the fire. He didn’t have to do all that as part of their deal.

  “Byron is also an opportunist,” was Elaina’s matter-of-fact reply. “I don’t doubt that he cares about you and Lilah, but he still released photos of the three of you out and about having a fun family day this past weekend to bump his campaign numbers.”

  The traffic light turned red and Zoe slammed on the brakes. “What photos?”

  “The photos are gracing the front page of our newspaper and reported on multiple news channels. You’re a happy family reunited. Most of the reports are eating this up like candy. The expected few are saying you stole him from Yolanda. So before you jump on a high horse and tell me it’s wrong to snatch my father’s company from him, remember that my family will always do what’s in their best interests. If you’re going to be a part of this family, you’ll have to learn to look out for yourself. Do this with me. Once I turn this company around you can do it with me somewhere else or for another company. Build your own wealth, and no matter what happens between you and Byron, you’ll never have to depend on him for your future.”

  Zoe didn’t have an argument for that. The light turned green and Zoe eased into traffic getting on the interstate. Her hands gripped the steering wheel. Byron released pictures of them? He’d said he wanted a day of just the three of them. No politics and no pressure. Only to turn around and use that day to look better in the media.

  She couldn’t believe she’d been blinded by her emotions again. Byron may care for her, but he fought to win, and he’d do whatever he needed to win. Including using Zoe and Lilah to further his political chances.

  Loving a man is the hardest thing you’ll ever do. No one can hurt you the way he can. Zoe remembered the day her mom had told her those words. The day after Kendell hit her the first time. The day she’d convinced herself she’d made the mistake and deserved the punishment. The first time she’d wondered if her life
would be easier if she never fell in love.

  Time to get back to building her own legacy. “I’m in.”

  * * *

  “LOOKS LIKE WE just beat a huge pile up on 40,” Byron’s driver, Wesley, said through the intercom.

  Byron looked up from the speech he was editing to meet Wesley’s eyes in the rearview mirror. “Any injuries?”

  “Not from what the news reports are saying. It’s holding up traffic for hours.”

  Byron frowned. “Zoe was in Raleigh today.” He reached into his jacket pocket and grabbed his cell phone.

  “She may have missed it, too,” Wesley said, sounding confident.

  A recent text from Zoe said she was leaving Raleigh. She could have just missed it, be blocked by it or worse, a part of it. “I’ll call her and check.”

  “Hello?” Zoe answered in an exasperated tone.

  Byron’s stomach clenched. “Are you okay?”

  “I would be if this traffic would move. Ugh!”

  Byron relaxed and smiled. She was never patient when it came to traffic jams. He kept any hint of humor out of his voice. “I take it you’re behind the accident. It’s a huge pile up that’s going to hold up traffic for a few hours.”

  “Hours! No. I’ve got to pick up Lilah. She’s joined the archery team at the school, and they have practice tonight. I can’t leave her there.”

  He motioned to Wesley with his hand. “You’re not. I’ll pick her up.” Wesley nodded.

  “You’re in Jackson Falls? I thought you were out of town?”

  “I was, but I wanted to come home. I missed you.” He had an appearance early the next day and it would have been easier to stay overnight, but he’d wanted to see Zoe and Lilah.

  “You missed us?” Her voice sounded dubious.

  “Of course I did. Why wouldn’t I?”

  She was quiet for a heartbeat. “Yeah...look, if it’s no problem, will you get Lilah? We’ll talk later.”

  Worry creased his brow. Dread slithered through his midsection. He didn’t like the way she said we’ll talk later.

  “Do we need to talk about something?”

  “Dammit, just cut me off. Asshole,” Zoe said, frustrated. “Look, my cell is dying, and I need to pay attention to the road.”

  He wanted to finish the conversation. He glanced at Wesley in the front seat. He’d save this for later. “That’s fine. Pay attention to the traffic there. Come home safely, and I’ll get Lilah. We’ll see you later and talk then. Okay?”

  She sighed in frustration. “Fine.” She ended the call without another word.

  Byron stared at his phone in confusion. What was that about? Things were going well with them. They’d finally gotten to a place where he felt like they could trust each other.

  “Picking up Lilah now?” Wesley asked.

  “Yes, head to her school.” Byron’s cell phone rang again. Roy’s number lit the screen. Byron immediately had an idea of why Zoe might be upset.

  “Did you release those pictures?” Byron said instead of greeting his campaign manager.

  When Roy admitted one of the staffers had taken pictures of him, Zoe and Lilah when they were downtown that weekend, Byron had been irritated, but he knew his staffers were always on the lookout for good visuals. He’d thought he made it clear to Roy not to use the pictures.

  “Your dad called and said you gave the okay,” Roy said defensively. “Good thing he did, because I’m getting calls with people wanting to interview you. The immediate response is positive. The family angle is helping. That and the way you eviscerated McLeod’s latest attempt at a policy promise to bring more jobs and you’re up.”

  “My dad doesn’t have final say so in anything to do with my campaign,” Byron said through clenched teeth. He’d expressly told Roy he didn’t want the pictures released. He’d like to eviscerate Grant. “I didn’t want them released. The day I spent with Zoe and Lilah wasn’t a campaign stunt.”

  “Everything you do is a campaign stunt. Are you in this to win or not? We both know how McLeod fights. You don’t have time to play the nice guy, Byron. Your dad made the right call.”

  Byron punched the back of the passenger seat. The smooth leather gave way, but the frustration building inside him didn’t. “I don’t give a damn if it was the right call. When it comes to anything related to my campaign, I make the final call. If you do anything again without consulting me first, I will fire your ass. Do you understand?”

  Byron didn’t care if Roy was the best campaign manager in the state. Roy could get Byron to the White House if he ever aimed that far. But his political career was his. Not his father’s. If Roy was going to work with Grant behind Byron’s back, then he was better served working with someone else.

  “I got it,” Roy said, sounding chastised. “I’m sorry.”

  Byron clenched his fist but didn’t hit the seat again. He would save the anger for his father. “I’ll deal with my dad. I’ll see you in the morning for the speech in Durham.” Byron hung up.

  Now he had to clean this up. He’d considered telling Roy to release the photos. The pictures looked good. He’d known they would play up the family angle he needed. The temptation had been real and strong, but he’d also known releasing the photos without talking to Zoe wasn’t the right move. Leave it to his dad not to give a damn about Byron’s decisions and push for the win.

  He considered calling Grant, but that was a conversation that needed to happen in person. Byron channeled his anger by sharpening the points against McLeod in his speech for the next day. The idea of verbally murdering his opponent was a minor balm to his ragged emotions.

  He’d calmed himself down by the time they pulled up in front of Lilah’s school. The faculty knew him since his family had all attended and gave generously to the alumni association. He stopped in the main office to speak with the administrative staff, talk about his plans for the area and snap a few pictures.

  Lilah’s eyes lit up when she saw him. His heart swelled with pride as the coach complimented Lilah on her archery skills. She was a smart kid. Smart and talented. He had to tamp down his visions of future gold medal winner glory with him and Zoe cheering Lilah from the stands. He wouldn’t push her the way Grant pushed him. Whatever Lilah wanted he’d help her achieve. He may not be her biological dad, but he’d be a good father to her.

  They got into the back of the car and Wesley guided them through traffic toward the Robidoux Estate.

  “Sounds like someone is the coach’s new favorite team member,” Byron said.

  Lilah grinned and twisted the end of one of her braids. “He said he wouldn’t give me any preferential treatment just because I was a Robidoux. Which meant I just had to show him preferential treatment isn’t needed. I don’t think he realized just how good I am.”

  Byron held out his hand for a fist bump. “That’s my girl. Let them underestimate you and then knock them off their feet.”

  Lilah bumped her fist to his. “You know it.”

  “When’s the first competition?”

  “In two weeks. I’m excited and nervous. It’s a regional event, so my old school is in the competition, too. It’ll be weird going against my old teammates.”

  “That’s understandable. Just remember it’s not personal. It’s okay to talk to them and wish them well.”

  Lilah opened her mouth to reply but something crashed into Byron’s side of the vehicle. The world spun, the sound of glass breaking, and metal crunching blended with Lilah’s frightened scream. The car was hit again, and everything tilted. Byron barely had time to register the second hit when the car flipped and fell.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  IN TRUE HOW-could-this-day-get-any-worse fashion, Zoe’s day went from irritating to multiple bottles of wine required. The accident on the interstate held up traffic for two hours. In that time she managed to run over so
mething sharp because as soon as she made it past the accident her tire went flat. She’d never replaced the spare after it had gotten a nail in it six months before, which meant she had to sit on the side of the interstate for another hour while she waited for roadside assistance to show up and change her tire. Her phone died somewhere in the middle of all that. She’d have to remember to get her car charger back from Lilah immediately. When she borrowed the phone of the roadside assistance guy and called Byron to tell him she was running late, his phone went straight to voice mail.

  She was in no mood for anything else to go wrong in that day, which was why she groaned when she finally walked into the Robidoux Estate and was immediately greeted by a worried look on Sandra’s face. Something was off. The house was normally quiet, but tonight it was too quiet to have so many cars out front. The entire family was there, yet the place was silent as a tomb.

  “What happened?” Zoe asked, expecting to hear there was a problem with Byron’s campaign, Robidoux Tobacco, or that Grant had called an unwarranted family meeting to discuss whatever new idea he had.

  “There was an accident,” Sandra said. She reached out and took Zoe’s purse and car keys.

  Zoe’s heart jumped. “An accident? Is anyone hurt? Who?”

  “The family is in the upstairs sitting room. Everyone is fine, but it was Mr. Byron and Miss Lilah.”

  Zoe slapped a hand to her chest. Panic weighed her down. “Lilah?”

  “Is fine. They’re upstairs,” Sandra said in a patient voice.

  Zoe didn’t wait to hear anything else. She took the stairs two at a time. She was out of breath by the time she burst through the upstairs living area. Lilah sat next to Byron on the couch. She was in the clothes she wore for archery practice. There was a bandage on her forehead. She popped up and ran across the room toward Zoe.

  “Mom, where were you?” Lilah slammed into Zoe’s arms.