He certainly hoped so. His uncle was going to lose his shit when he found out Clint didn’t cut any departments. The two employees that made up the personal shopper department were the highest paid, aside from the men sitting around this table. It was a no-brainer to close it—step one in liquidating the store.
Grant Duke wanted to get his hands on the building. No, not the building. The land. It was prime real estate. Duke Enterprises would make serious bank tearing it down and selling the lot to a developer. Or, better yet, move Duke’s cooperate headquarters from Belltown here to the city’s central business district. The store was simply in the way.
Peter III stood with the help of his cane and hobbled over to Clint, a stern look full of scrutiny on his heavily wrinkled face. “Mr. Duke, a moment. Alone.”
Peter IV studied his father. “Shouldn’t I be here?”
“Your job is to reassure the fine employees of this store their jobs are safe.” Peter III tossed a glare at Clint and added, “For now.”
Peter IV wanted to say more, but that dark look in Peter III’s eyes made him hurry out of the room after all of the other board members, making sure to toss Clint one final lethal glare before closing the door behind him. Clint waited until they were alone before resting his careful gaze on the previous CEO of the company he was about to break apart.
Peter III slapped Clint on the back and kept his hand there. “Son, there’s nothing in the rulebook saying you have to follow in your father’s footsteps.”
Was it that obvious? Then again, Peter III didn’t get to be in a position of power by ignoring the signs. Hell, Clint didn’t either, for that matter.
He didn’t want to lie to the old man. Clint barely knew him yet felt a connection he’d never felt with his own father. Still, he knew better than to confide in him. After all, they were at opposite ends of a business deal. That made them enemies, according to the elder Dukes.
“Promise me something.” Peter III lowered his hand from Clint’s back and slowly sank into a chair. “When the time comes to make the choice, go with your heart and not your wallet.”
Words to live by. Clint took a seat, his legs no longer strong enough to hold him up. For whatever reason, having Peter III give him permission to break away from what drove all his father’s business deals was like a huge weight lifting. “I wish it were that easy. My father didn’t build Duke Enterprises into what it is today following his heart.”
“He also died a very rich, very lonely man. I knew your father. He was one of the most ruthless bastards I’d ever met. I immediately didn’t like him the instant I met him.”
“Not many did.” Hell, Clint didn’t even like him. Too many missed birthdays. Too many broken promises. When it came between the business and the kid, the business won every time. Every. Time. They’d shared a single moment bonding his entire adult life. Too little, too late.
“I like you, Clint. You’re not your father. You’ve got a good heart, son.” Peter III rested his aged hand on Clint’s arm and held his attention. “This is your chance to prove it.”
Clint dropped his gaze. The man would say anything to save his store, yet his words hit hard. They sat in silence for several seconds as Clint chewed on what he’d said. Was it really that easy? Did he have the authority to change the deal mid-stream? Of course, he did. He was the CEO of Duke Enterprises now, for Christ’s sake. If he wanted to give Kelley’s the financial support to keep the doors open, he’d do it.
But, was that what he really wanted to do? No one shopped at elite department stores any more, not when they could find a knockoff version of the same thing at a discount superstore. Most didn’t know the difference. A custom-fitted suit was so much better than one off the rack and would last years longer than a cheaply made suit.
He couldn’t change the public’s perception. They couldn’t compete with titans like Amazon and Walmart. Keeping Kelley’s open was a terrible business decision. They lost money every quarter. The sooner he closed the doors, the sooner he stopped the bleeding.
4
Evan couldn’t believe it. Shock had his heart racing over the turn of events. He’d gone to the seventh floor expecting exactly what’d happened—to be told his services were no longer required. He’d even practiced the look of contempt he planned to give that weasel Peter IV as he walked out, head high.
When those words fell from Clint Duke’s lips instead, something came over him, something he still couldn’t explain. He didn’t care much for the youngest Kelley and wanted to be sure the man knew it before Evan said goodbye to Kelley’s forever.
He couldn’t do that to Clint. He liked the guy, more than he should. Like liked him. Why? The man had come to Kelley’s to destroy lives. Why should Evan give him any special treatment? If the roles were reversed, he highly doubted the likes of Clint Duke would offer the same. He didn’t get to be worth billions as the CEO of Duke Enterprises by granting favors.
And yet, he’d granted the biggest one of all by hiring Evan to find him a suit, saving the department for another week. Things like that didn’t just happen. He should buy a lottery ticket.
The elevator doors whooshed open and he stepped out, excited to tell Patsy she had one more week spending other people’s money as she collected a paycheck. A mountain of a man stopped him just as he turned the corner toward his department.
“Do you work here?”
He had to crane his neck. “Yes. Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for a gift—a nice one—for my girlfriend. I don’t have a lot of time and could really use your help. I want to surprise her.”
“Anniversary?”
“More like doghouse.” He rolled his eyes.
“Uh oh. Are we talking nice perfume doghouse? Or is this more along the lines of jewelry-level?”
“Definitely jewelry.”
“Yikes.” Even led the man over to the jewelry counter. “That bad, huh?”
“I forgot her birthday.” He hesitated before adding, “And an anniversary. In my defense, it wasn’t the anniversary, bro. It was just some random thing we first did together.”
“How random?”
He colored and rubbed the back of his neck. “The first time we, uh…you know.”
“Jewelry, it is.” He stopped in front of the glass case full of the more expensive sets. Judging by the diamond studs in his ears, he could afford to spoil his girlfriend some. From the sounds of it, she deserved a little indulgence. “What’s your name?”
“Jason.”
“Hi, Jason. I’m Evan.” He offered his hand.
Jason blinked slowly. “You definitely are.”
Odd response. “Do I know you?”
“No. Sorry. You just look like someone I know.” They shook. “Look, dude. I’m no good at picking out this kind of stuff.”
“Lucky for you, I am.”
“I need something that says I’m sorry but not too sorry.” He pointed at the smallest stone on the thinnest chain. “This is nice.”
“That barely registers in the ‘we just met and I kinda like you’ category. What color are her eyes?”
“Blue. Like, seriously blue.”
Evan unlocked the case and pulled out a set of brilliant sapphire earrings. “These will bring out the serious in her blue eyes.”
“Wow,” Jason breathed and accepted the velvet box housing the earrings. “These are great.” He checked the price and coughed. “Holy shit, dude. I can’t afford to drop that kind of money on her.” His gaze drifted back to the smallest stone on the thinnest chain.
“You give that to her, and that’s exactly what you’re telling her.”
He groaned and reluctantly studied the earrings again. “Freaky. It’s like you channel her or something.”
Another odd response. “Do you like the earrings?”
“I love them. You don’t think this says I’m too sorry?”
“Are you?”
“Well, yeah. But she doesn’t need to know that.”
Jason kept his focus on the jewelry. “They’re the same color as her eyes.”
“Imagine her eyes when she opens that box.”
He grinned and handed the earrings to Evan. “You’re good, bro. Can you wrap it?”
“I’ll do you one better.” Evan set the velvet case into the box and quickly wrapped it. He then grabbed a small box of Kelley’s signature velvety chocolate truffles and dropped it into the striped bag along with the earrings. “No one can resist our Trelleys.”
“Dude, I love those things. I can eat a whole box.”
“I’d let her have this one.” He rang up the sale and handed Jason the bag. “I hope this does the trick. If she doesn’t like the earrings, have her come in and I’ll find her something else.”
“She’s going to love these, bro. You saved my ass. I’m going to have my brother and his fiancée come see you about wedding bands. They still can’t agree on the right set. I bet you take one look at them and know what they want. Thanks, Evan. I’ll be seeing you.” He saluted before hurrying off.
Dude? Bro? Evan laughed as he watched the man walk away. He moved out from behind the counter and turned toward his when the sound of a familiar baritone voice called his name. “Evan!”
He whipped around and met the intense brown eyes of Clint Duke. The heat of that debilitating gaze penetrated into Evan’s soul. Those eyes, almost black as they bore into him, held him prisoner. He couldn’t move. Hell, he couldn’t breathe. Recovering, he straightened his suit. “Yes, Mr. Duke?”
“What did I tell you about calling me Mr. Duke?”
“You didn’t seem to mind in the boardroom. In fact, I think you preferred it.”
“I did remind you of my request, if you recall.”
“That you did, sir.”
“And yet you defied me.” Clint inched closer and lowered his voice. “There’s a time and place for you to call me Sir. Or Master. Or even Daddy. On the sales floor at a department store is not it. If you were mine, I’d make sure you understood that.”
“I’m not into that lifestyle.” Evan’s comment said one thing, but his body said something else entirely. Heat slapped his cheeks. His pulse raced. The image of Clint over him, dominating him in every sense of the word, now consumed his thoughts. He licked his lips and released a shaky breath as Clint continued to study him with that unyielding, darkly seductive gaze. Clearing his throat, he retreated a step, desperate to put a little distance between them. “Was there something you needed?”
Clint growled deep in the back of his throat, washing a chill up Evan’s spine. “That personal fitting you promised.”
“Yes, of course.” He cleared his throat again and wiped at his brow. Why was it suddenly so hot in here? “When are you available for that, uh, personal fitting?”
“As soon as possible. Are you free tonight?”
“What’s wrong with right now?”
His gaze darkened. “For what I have in mind, we need a bit more privacy.”
Evan wanted to pretend he didn’t know what, exactly, Clint implied. Hell, he was just as guilty at the sexual undertone in his comments. They were practically fucking each other verbally, right out in the open. It was something he’d never done and found it erotic as hell.
Clint took a breath but then released it in a groan when a female declared in a voice that echoed through the store. “Oh my God! Sylvia, that’s Clint Duke! I told you he’d be here.”
“Clint Duke! Where?”
“Where!”
“Clint Duke! There he is!”
People shouted from every direction, and the frenzy only grew from there.
“Foiled again,” Clint said quietly and grinned wide when several women came bouncing over. He pulled them all under his enormous arms. “Ladies, I was wondering when you’d come and keep me company. Evan, my good man, there’s a bar in this building, is there not?”
“Top floor. Just in time for happy hour.” He didn’t know whether to be annoyed or impressed with how quickly Clint switched from the man openly flirting with Evan, to his public persona of Seattle’s playboy billionaire. He decided to go for both. For good measure, he added, “Sir.”
Clint shot him a look over his shoulder as the women giggled and led him into the elevator. Evan smiled and walked away.
“Evan?”
He froze and spun around to catch Clint with his head poking out between the double doors, several feminine hands attempting to pull him back in.
“Yes?”
“As you can see, public settings tend to be an issue for me. I’d prefer our fitting be after hours.”
His heart jumped around like water on a hot skillet. He didn’t typically stay that late, but in this case, he’d make an exception. He’d make an exception every night if it meant a private fitting with Clint Duke. “We close at nine.”
“See you then.” Clint flashed that grin, and once again his dimple had Evan captivated.
Now completely preoccupied with the thought of Clint being here alone with him after hours, Evan tried not to think about spending time with him and completely missed the fact he’d passed Patsy without saying a word. She hit him in the arm. Hard.
“Bitch,” he muttered and rubbed the sore spot. Damn, could she throw a punch. “That’s going to bruise.”
“Spill,” she ordered, ignoring his frown. “Are we axed or what?”
“Believe it or not, we have another week.” He still couldn’t believe it.
“For what? What could possibly change in a week? If they are going to kill our department, do it already. Why drag it out?”
“I convinced the board to hire me as a personal shopper to none other than Clint Duke.” Even as he said it, it didn’t sound right.
Patsy blinked. Clearly, she didn’t think it sounded right, either. “Are you shitting me? Why would the board hire you? They own you. They own all of us. What aren’t you telling me?” She crossed her arms under her breasts.
One day he’d learn to ignore those looks of hers. Today wouldn’t be that day. She was one of the only people in the world who knew where he’d come from. She didn’t care that he’d lived on the streets before he’d gotten a job at Kelley’s as a cleaner.
Evan conceded. “Okay, fine. I sort of went up against Clint Duke.”
“And?”
He paused for dramatic effect. “And I won.”
Patsy dropped her jaw. “Shut up. You? Mr. Take My Lunch Money?”
“Only you take my lunch money.”
“Like I need it.” She flipped her expensive weaves. “Now that you’re back, I’m taking a break.”
“Did you do any work while I was busy saving our jobs?”
“I restocked the dress shirts.”
“That was me. I did that this morning.”
“Right. Well, watching you do it was exhausting.”
Evan laughed. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”
“So are you, honey. I see the way Clint Duke looks at you. You think I’d win if I went up against him? Hell no. We would have already been escorted out of the building.”
“That’s because you would have ended up assaulting him.”
“You’re not wrong.” She shrugged. “I’m just saying he’s in to you.”
“You already said that.”
“I still believe it. You should take advantage of that.”
“By doing what, exactly?”
“Whatever comes up. And down. And up. Down. Up. Down. Repeat as necessary.”
“You are so classy.” He forced a smile. “Classy with a K.”
“Hey, maybe it’ll buy us more than a week before Duke Enterprises turns Kelley’s into a dollar store or something equally as cheap.”
Evan hated the thought of Kelley’s ending up being broken into salable pieces, but he couldn’t deny the obvious answer. The store wasn’t the target. It was simply in the way of the real deal—the land in the heart of downtown Seattle.
The building was falling apart. The popular rooftop bar was about the only thing still making a profit, but even that wasn’t enough to pay for the new roof the building desperately needed. Why else would an empire the size of Duke’s be interested in a Seattle-based department store like Kelley’s? Hell, they weren’t even a chain, they were that small. It had to be the land.
“I’m sure they will keep Kelley’s interest at heart.” Evan smiled through the bitterness of his statement. If he hadn’t stood up to Clint, both he and Patsy would be standing in the unemployment line now.
He had to find some way to prove to Clint and the board that having personal shoppers at the customers’ beck and call was what made Kelley’s so special. The reason why shoppers came to the store, for that personal touch they’d only find here.
He recalled something the last customer had said when he planned to send his brother and fiancée to Kelley’s. I bet you take one look at them and know what they want. If he convinced Clint of that, he very well could turn Kelley’s around—with a little help from Duke Enterprises.
No time like the present to get started. “Hey, Patsy? You see that young couple at the perfume counter? Notice how they each keep stealing glances at the jewelry counter? They aren’t here to buy something that smells good.”
She glanced over her shoulder before turning back to Evan, a bewildered look on her pretty face. “Then why are they at the perfumes?”
“Because they’re scared. Marriage is a huge step. Go over to jewelry and find some bling for your fingers. Nothing too gaudy. They’re on a budget. Approach them, introduce yourself, and be sure to showcase your hands. You have lovely fingers and just got your nails done. They are perfect models. Show them something just under a carat.”
“The commission on that isn’t even worth my time.”
“But their referrals are. Go.”
“Yes sir,” she sang and swayed away.
Evan chuckled and checked his watch. Two hours until closing time. That gave him plenty of time to look through the sample tuxedo jackets to find the perfect fit for Clint Duke. After all, he couldn’t very well fit a celebrity in rags.
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