Lucas, Steve greeted with a smug, half smile as he swiveled his chair back and forth a few degrees. His suit was steel-gray, his dark hair stark against the white background.
The door firmly shut behind him, Lucas advanced on the desk. He folded his arms over his chest. Just what the hell do you think youre doing?
At the moment, Im composing a memo.
You think you can intimidate Devin?
Steve stopped swiveling and sat up straight. I dont know what youre talking about.
You dont think Ill protect her?
Steve scoffed out a cold laugh. I think youll protect your investment.
I cant believe youd target a defenseless woman.
Unlike you? Steve sneered.
Lucas pointed sharply with his index finger. I have never-
Never what? Never fought Devin Hartley for control of Amelia? Never conspired with Konrad to manipulate Granddads will?
You know thats a lie.
I know nothing of the sort.
You better back the hell off on this one, Steve. I am not letting you anywhere near Devin and Amelia.
Steve laughed at that. What are you, saddling up the white charger now? Galloping on over to the moral high ground? Youd have kicked Devin to the curb months ago if youd been able to get away with it.
Lucas stilled, because Steve was right. If Lucas had found a way to get sole guardianship of Amelia, he wouldnt have given Devin another thought. But that was then. This was now. All he could seem to think about was Devins welfare. And he was not going to let Steve hurt her.
Steve obviously sensed his advantage, because he came to his feet and his voice got louder. You want Amelia because she gives you control of the company. So dont stand there and pretend this has anything to do with Devin.
Lucas leaned in. Youd have her disinherited? Youd have Konrads only child disinherited for your own selfish ends?
Like you wouldnt if it was my child.
I wouldnt, Lucas answered honestly. Much as hed hate Steve having control over Pacific Robotics, he would respect his grandfathers wishes.
You lie almost as well as I do, Steve returned.
Im not going to let you do this, Lucas warned.
You have absolutely no way to stop me, said Steve. Then he lifted his chin, a reptilian smile coming over his face. The high-and-mighty Lucas Demarco, sidelined in his own company. I hope you werent too fond of the corner office.
You think thats what Im fighting for? Status? Lucas was fighting for the financial health of the company, the security of their employees, the interests of the Washington State high-tech sector and the future of his brothers baby girl.
You are staid, complacent and unimaginative. If you had the capacity to even consider enlightened business practices, we wouldnt be having this conversation.
Depriving a child of her inheritance is neither imaginative nor enlightened. Its criminal.
Whats criminal, Lucas, is having a baby for the sole purpose of financial benefit. You expect any judge to believe Konrad met his soul mate and fell in love forty-eight hours after we read Granddads will? Or that normal people plan a five-hundred-guest wedding in less than a month? Or that, in this day and age of birth control, people get pregnant on their wedding night?
Lucas didnt particularly want to present the facts that way to a judge. But, yes, he believed all of those things happened with Konrad and Monica. He watched his brother fall apart after she left. He watched Konrad try anything and everything to win her back.
There wasnt a single doubt in his mind that Konrad had loved both Monica and Amelia.
Steve plunked back down in his chair. She left him, Lucas. She knew shed been used. Her sister knows the truth. Youre the only one persisting in this fairy tale.
I dont want you anywhere near the mansion, Lucas intoned. I dont want you anywhere near Devin. And I especially dont want you anywhere near Amelia.
I dont have to go anywhere near them, Steve returned. The facts will speak for themselves. I honestly dont know why I didnt think of this earlier. His eyes narrowed. Im going to win this, Lucas. Im going to win this because you have never been able to see the potential in any circumstance. Youre not Konrad. Youll plod along the safe road, following the rules, keeping everything inside the lines. He paused, curving the corners of his mouth into a slick smile. Did I tell you Im engaged? Wonderful little woman Ive been seeing for nearly six months. Expect a wedding invitation. Were planning a big family.
Lucas swore out loud.
Yeah, Steve said, grinning. It is, isnt it?
It wasnt exactly the worst mistake in the world, Lexi offered from where shed stretched out on her stomach on the blanket theyd spread on the rolling lawn in the backyard of the Demarco estate. They were up the hill from the mansion, close to an oriental garden where one of the young housekeepers named Teresa was helping Amelia feed the koi fish.
Amelia was delighted by the fish. She especially loved standing on the small stone bridge, clinging to the rail and staring down at their flashing colors. Teresa seemed endlessly patient with her, and delighted to be asked to help out. Today Devin was inclined to take advantage of the young womans assistance.
So, its the second-worst mistake? asked Devin, plucking a blade of grass from the lush lawn. She sat cross-legged on the bright blue blanket, gazing past the gardens to Puget Sound and the ships gliding past. If sleeping with Lucas came second, shed hate to think about what was first.
Do you think it was part of his grand scheme? asked Lexi.
I was the one who was supposed to use sex to learn his secrets. Devin shook her head now when she thought back to that ridiculous plan.
You told him secrets? Lexis interest perked up a notch.
I dont have any secrets.
Does he?
I dont know. Devin tore the blade of grass lengthwise. I think he does. He knows perfectly well that Konrad used Monica for his own financial ends. Im sure Lucas was part of the plot.
Devin hadnt yet decided what to do about Lucass request that she postpone the hearing. It could be another scam. Then again, she could easily believe that Steve was up to no good.
I thought you were only going to dress up and give him a few come hither looks? Lexi reminded her.
Devin felt her face heat with embarrassment. Could she have done a worse job with it? I was in jogging shorts. Well, okay, my underwear.
Lexi sat up, eyes alight. You were vamping him in your underwear? And you wonder why things went off the rails?
I was swimming in my underwear. And we were arguing. I wasnt vamping. Thats why I didnt expect
Okay, back to the underwear part in just a second. What I dont understand is why you said yes.
Excellent question. Devin wished there was a noble answer. She rolled, aimed and tossed the blade of grass onto the lawn, merely postponing the inevitable admission. Hes hot. And hes a great kisser.
Amelia squealed in delight in the distance, while Lexi just grinned. So, there was an upside to this.
Devin gave a sheepish grimace. If you mean great sex, then yeah. Theres an upside. But theres a humongous downside too.
It doesnt really change anything, Lexi pointed out.
Its embarrassing. Devin had to spend the next month with Lucas, and hed seen her naked.
And she wanted to do it again. And she was terrified that hed figure that out.
No good could come of a distracting affair with Lucas. She needed to keep her wits about her.
Beside the koi pond, Teresa held on to both of Amelias hands while Amelia began walking their way.
So, what now? asked Lexi, flicking her hair over her shoulder and readjusting her position on the blanket.
I still need a plan. I need to prove beyond any doubt that Konrad and Lucas plotted the romance with Monica to get the inheritance.
Howre you going to do that?
Wait until hes out of the house, and then snoop around. Ill hunt for evidence. Talk to witnesses.
Lexi straightened. Can I help?
Absolutely.
When do we start?
Devin came up on her knees and moved closer to Lexi so she could lower her voice. Today. She nodded archly. Im going to let Teresa put Amelia down for her nap. Lucas is going into the office for the afternoon. And I need you to distract Byron.
Lexi frowned. I really dont like that man.
I didnt ask you to like him.
Hes smug. That yall and maam, and the slow talkin drawl. Its an act. Hes devious.
All the more reason to keep him distracted for me. Devin wasnt sure shed call Byron devious. But shed definitely bet he was more intelligent than he let on. And he seemed intensely loyal to Lucas.
Hed talked yesterday about heading home to Texas. But he was still here. And Devin couldnt afford to wait.
Lexi squared her shoulders. Where is he now?
Devin tilted her head. Over at the pool. Put on your turquoise bathing suit and go out on the floatie again. He seemed to like that.
Are you my pimp?
Do it for Amelia, Devin cajoled.
Lexi drew a breath. Okay. Fine. For the sake of our baby princess, Ill let the man ogle me for a while. She rose to her knees. I just hope that ostentatious belt buckle of his doesnt catch the sunlight and blind me forever.
Drama queen, breathed Devin.
Hey, youre not the one wholl be using sex to Lexi paused. Wait a minute-
Shut up, said Devin.
Lexi laughed at Devins outrage. Then she sobered. Okay. She smoothed back her hair. Ill vamp the tall cowboy. You snoop around inside the house. Someday, this is going to make a funny story for Amelia.
With Amelia safely down for her nap, and Lexi running interference with Byron down at the pool, and Lucas gone to the office, Devin crept into Konrads silent bedroom.
With Amelia safely down for her nap, and Lexi running interference with Byron down at the pool, and Lucas gone to the office, Devin crept into Konrads silent bedroom.
It was an opulent suite on the north wing of the second floor, down the hall from Lucas. Elaborate gold and cream ceilings blended into crown molding that outlined the L-shaped room. A huge, four-poster bed was set into the alcove. A sitting area was formed by four brown leather, overstuffed armchairs that surrounded a marble fireplace and two antique, glass-topped tables. Three bay windows brought sunshine in from the ocean side, while a boxed window above the king-size bed overlooked the pool.