Harlequin Kimani Romance September 2014 Bundle: Seduced by the Heir\Secret Silver Nights\Someone Like You\Indulge Me Tonight (33 page)

Chapter 26

N
iko paced the room, trying yet again to reach Monique. Since turning on his phone and seeing missed telephone calls and news of the negative ad on her, he'd called repeatedly. He'd worked late and in a rare move decided to turn off his phone and sleep until eight. That was what you got for following your own advice.

Bryce sent him the video link. What he saw was appalling. The words were bad. The images, worse: a laughing Monique and her alleged client/lover leaving the courtroom, a frowning, finger-pointing Monique that Niko figured was taken in a courtroom but out of context looked crazed, and the most disturbing, footage of the recent school fire as the announcer questioned her conduct, character and acquaintances.

He hit Replay. “Paid for by Independent Citizens for a New Paradise.”
Who is this?
A name not on any campaign fund lists he'd read, but obviously someone who knew a lot about Monique. Niko hadn't a clue.
Aside from her ex Rob, her godmother, Margo, and a best friend named Emma she sometimes mentioned, he didn't know her friends or, in this case, her enemies.

After formulating a strategy, he scrolled the address book for his sister's number. Not only did Teresa freelance for the
Cove Chronicle,
but she was also one of the nosiest people he knew. Teresa could convince a statue to talk. Other sources could have been contacted, but Niko wanted to keep private his involvement in resolving this issue. And that was exactly what he planned to do: help fix this.

“Teresa, good morning.”

“Good morning.” Niko heard his sister stifle a yawn. “Why are you calling so early?”

“It's not early. It's eight-thirty. Working people should be up by now.”

“What do you want?”

“I need you to do a little investigative work.”

“Sure, what's up?”

“Have you seen the smear ad on Monique?”

“Mo Slater? No, I haven't.”

“I'll email you the link, but it's nasty, sponsored by a group calling themselves the Independent Citizens for a New Paradise.”

“This came from your party?”

Niko rubbed his forehead. An uncomfortable thought formed. “I highly doubt it. But your question makes me wonder if that was the intended implication. I need you to query your TV contacts. Find out who submitted the ad and who's connected to this group. I have an idea but need proof. I need this information ASAP.”

“I'll get right on it. Send me the video link and give me an hour or two. I'll call back as soon as I have info.”

By nine o'clock, Niko was in the office amid constantly ringing phones: associates asking if he'd seen the ad, news reporters wanting a quote. “It's deplorable,” he told one reporter. “Anyone who puts out a smear ad like that should have their character questioned.”

Despite the unfolding ad drama, Niko had a campaign to spearhead and a business to run. After a couple of interviews and dozens of phone calls, he headed over to Drake Realty for a business meeting. On the way, his phone rang yet again. It was the call for which he'd waited. He tapped the button on his steering wheel to answer it.

“Monique! I've been calling you all morning.”

“Yes, well, I called you all night.”

“Babe, so sorry I missed your calls. I turned off my phone, didn't get your messages or see the ad until this morning.”

“Had I turned off the television as you suggested, I wouldn't have seen it, either.”

“I'm as outraged and angry as I'm sure you are and already working to find out who did it. Their ploy is not going to work.”

“Really, Niko? You have no idea who's behind this incident?”

“No. I don't.” His brow creased at her choice of words and the sarcastic way they'd been delivered.

“Paid for by the Independent Citizens for a New Paradise—your party. You told me you'd do whatever it took to beat me, but this...”

“Wait, Monique, I—”

“Obviously I am a bad judge of character. My process of choosing friends and lovers is definitely flawed!”

“Monique, I swear to you, I had nothing to do with this.”

“That's what I desperately wanted to believe. Yet I can count on one hand without using all my fingers how many people outside my law firm know why I was fired from that job. You took what I shared in confidence and used it to your advantage. Good move, Counselor. I guess all's fair in love, war and political campaigns.”

“You've got this all wrong, Monique. And I'm going to prove it.”

“What you've proven is that after what happened the last time we competed, you are willing to do anything to not be defeated again. Was that your M.O. all along? Seduce me, become my friend and confidant and extract information for personal gain?”

“Monique, listen—”

“You're right about one thing. The ploy won't work. I still very much plan to win this race. Goodbye, Niko.”

Niko banged a fist on the console. The unthinkable yet plausible reaction he'd feared Monique might have had just been realized.

* * *

Monique drove a good five miles before noticing how hard she was gripping the wheel. “Calm down.” Easy to say when her life was anything but. Last night she'd doubted Niko's involvement, but by morning he was the only one that made sense. She'd planned to hear him out, but his phony concern was beyond infuriating. He'd help find out the culprit? Yeah, right.

Her eyes became watery. She dared one tear to fall.

Since landing, she'd had a plethora of activities to keep her focused: securing a rental car, picking up Devante, going to the courthouse, meeting with his judge and talking to the family whom Devante would live with
.
From these visits she surmised that the negative ad wasn't running in Los Angeles and from an earlier conversation with her mother gathered that it hadn't hit the East Coast. She prayed that it wouldn't, that for once the news in Paradise Cove would be like that of most small towns in America...unimportant.

“Who now?” Monique mumbled as her phone rang. She'd received several calls from thirsty reporters. Hopefully this wasn't one. As upset as she was right
now, there was no telling what she'd say.

“Emma.”

“Hey, Monique. Sorry I missed your call. Spent my morning at the DMV. How are you?”

“I've been better.”

“Uh-oh. That's not good.”

“Not at all.” Monique told Emma what had transpired in the past twenty-four hours. “I was a fool to trust him,” she finished, gritting her teeth to stop threatening tears. “He played me like a fiddle and I sang his tune.”

“Don't be so hard on yourself, Mo. You took someone at face value, a man you thought you knew. He took advantage of a vulnerable moment. What are you going to do?”

“For starters, get back to Paradise Cove as soon as possible. I had to handle an emergency in L.A., and while here I'd planned to spend some time at the firm. Plans have changed. I can't let an attack like this go unanswered. The longer I take to respond, the more the rumors will spread. I've commented briefly to several reporters, denying the allegations. But that's not enough. I have to go on the air and tell my side.”

“Was this televised nationally?”

“No, thank God. I called Mom first thing this morning. If it had run anywhere in their area, believe me, they'd know. It still might get leaked. This story and the fallout from it are going to follow me for the remainder of this campaign.”

“I'm so sorry this has happened. Do you have a good support system around you?”

“Yes. Along with raising a whole lot of hell, Margo is also raising the money that will fund this new and unexpected ad. Lance, my campaign manager, has become a good friend who I know has my back.”

“What about Rob? I know you guys broke up, but at one time he was a very good friend.”

“We talk occasionally, mostly through text and email. Haven't heard from him lately. I think he's seeing someone.”

“Well, you should call him, get that analytical point of view that people good with numbers are known for.”

“Perhaps I will.” Monique sighed. “Enough about my soap-opera life. How are you and the baby?”

They chatted for several minutes about cravings and gained weight and phantom contractions. Monique was glad for the diversion. Even if only temporarily, it eased the ache in her heart over Niko's betrayal. She thought about Emma's suggestion to call Rob. It was a good idea. After a trying day in court or a hectic day at the office, his calm, steady demeanor had always calmed her. She'd appreciated different points of view gained from his perspective. An irony assailed her. If she'd stayed with steady, dependable Rob...none of this would have happened.

* * *

Niko, Ike Jr., Warren and Terrell sat around the conference-room table discussing how to handle this latest situation. If one Drake had a problem, they all did.

Ike Jr. eyed his brother. “How are you so sure it's Dick?”

“It has to be him, considering his feelings about women in politics, poor people in our city and an upstart like me having the audacity to run for mayor. This wasn't the work of a Democrat or independent. He did this.”

Terrell scowled, crossed his arms. “I think so, too.”

“When do you expect to hear back from Teresa?” Warren asked.

Niko looked at his watch. “By now, I thought. Let me text her.”

“I'm ahead of you, bro.” Terrell's thumbs flew across the keys.

Ike leaned forward, steepling his fingers on the table. “What are we going to do with whatever proof Teresa finds? Dick isn't foolish enough to have his name connected to something like this. If accused, he'll deny. Then what?”

“Is the story true?” Terrell placed down his phone and looked at Niko. “That's what I want to know.”

“She was terminated for an isolated incident, learned her lesson and moved on. We all make mistakes. That shouldn't be held against her or used against her.”

Ike Jr. disagreed. “Come on, Niko. This is politics. Any part of her life is fair game.”

Niko sprang from his chair. “Are you justifying what happened?”

Ike Jr. stood and looked him in the eye. “I'm saying that if she can't stand the heat, she never should have jumped in the fire.”

“Calm down.” Warren hadn't raised his voice, yet his tone was authoritative and effective. The men sat. “Let's keep focused on what we're here to do.

“I say we start at the firm where this incident happened, get the names of the attorneys employed during that time and see if there's a connection with Dick.”

“That's a start,” Terrell replied, once again scrolling and texting on his cell phone. “But the Schneiders know some of everybody. His father was a judge for a hundred years.”

“The key is learning just who are the Independent Citizens for a New Paradise.” Niko reached for his iPad and opened a screen. “Either that or the corporation that's bankrolling these ads. Commercial slots on major networks are not cheap. Not that money is a factor... Wait.” He checked the buzzing cell phone's caller ID. “This is Teresa. What do you have for me, sis?” He listened intently while typing notes. “JDA Associates—that's the corporation?” Terrell opened his mouth to say something, but Niko held up his hand. “Really? That's interesting. Okay, got it. Thanks, sis. If you ever get tired of journalism, I'll hire you as my detective. All right, love you, too.”

“What did she find out?” Terrell spoke immediately. “Is it him?”

“The corporation behind this Independent Citizens outfit is called JDA Associates. Anybody heard of them?”

No one had.

“They incorporated recently—I assume to help Dick. In recent weeks, they've made several donations to his campaign.”

“That's opinion, Counselor. Conjecture. We need solid proof.”

“Okay, Ike. Check this out. After the debate, Schneider's numbers took the biggest hit. He was being bested by a species he feels shouldn't even be in the game. When it comes to that man and this election, circumstantial is all I need.”

Ike Jr. nodded, his eyes narrowing in thought. “Let's assume you're right. How can you prove it?”

Niko stood and gathered his things. “Haven't figured that out yet. But I will.”

Chapter 27

“T
hat sounds good,” Monique said, nodding as she navigated L.A. traffic and headed toward the airport. “I'll write a draft and email it to you on the plane. I have a meeting first thing in the morning with the people securing the airtime, so let's meet around noon. If at all possible, I want this ad to start running tomorrow night.”

As she was ending this call, another one came in. Niko. She tapped the ignore button and kept driving. Five minutes later, he called again.

“Niko, please stop calling me. We have nothing to talk about.”

“What about the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven?” Silence. “Monique, I'm trying to help you.”

“I'll tell you how you can do that. Leave me alone.” End of conversation.

Monique took several deep breaths and tried to relax. Hard to do when you thought the man you loved betrayed you. Yes, it was love. As much as she'd tried to deny it, love was the only thing that could hurt this much.

She looked at her watch, noted her surroundings and turned left at the corner. It was a couple of hours till her flight, enough time to grab a to-go order from one of her favorite eateries. This quaint, family-owned Mediterranean establishment was not far from where Rob lived. Everything was homemade. Their falafels were divine. She found a parking space on the street, hurriedly walked the short distance to the door and stepped inside. Immediately she was assailed with a wonderful fragrance of spices, along with the beautiful smile of the daughter who ran the register.

“Monique! Hello! We haven't seen you in ages.”

“It has been a while.” Before last night, she would have mentioned that she'd moved to Paradise Cove and was running for mayor. Right now, it felt good to just be Monique, attorney-at-law. “I've missed you guys.”

“We've missed you, too. This is for here, right?”

“Actually, no, can we make it to go?”

“Certainly. Your usual?”

“Absolutely.”

Monique paid for the meal, then took her drink and sat in the small dining room, separated from the take-out area by colorfully decorated drapes. Having checked only sporadically, she was sure her in-box was filled with unread messages. Head down, she scrolled the screen and had answered several emails when she heard the cashier greet a customer.

“Hey there, Rob!”

He responded cheerfully. “Good afternoon! How are you doing today?”

Rob was here? How perfect a coincidence was that! She'd decided against Emma's suggestion to call him. Looked as though fate had intervened. Smiling, Monique hurriedly placed the cell phone in her purse, grabbed her drink and headed to the counter.

“I thought I heard a familiar voice,” she said while rounding the corner.

Rob turned. His eyes widened.

His deer-in-headlights look wasn't what stopped Monique in her tracks. The person standing beside him did the trick.

Well, well, well.
Within seconds, she regained her composure and approached with a smile. “Fancy meeting you here!” She leaned in for a hug.

“Hello, Monique.” His embrace was lukewarm and brief.

Monique's eyes slid to his lunch date.

“Ashley, we meet again.”

“Small world, isn't it?” she said with a smile as fake as her weave.

Monique watched her ex study a menu board he knew by heart. “Rob, can I speak with you for a second?”

Ashley subtly entwined her arm with his. Rob remained silent. Monique's brow arched.

“Now's not a good time,” he finally said after clearing his throat. “Why don't you call me later?”

“It will only be a second. I want your opinion on a...project. I'm sure Ashley won't mind.”

“Oh, you want to speak with him privately? The way I wanted to speak with Niko when you were around?” Laughing, she turned to the menu.

Rob placed his order. “How long are you in town?”

“Not long.”

“Call my office tomorrow. We can talk about your project then.”

The server came out with Monique's order. Just as well since Rob's back to her was a fairly clear sign that the talk between them was done. She exited the eatery, thoughts going in a thousand directions.
What is Ashley doing here? With Rob, of all people!
She reached her car and quickly drove off, the delicious falafel all but forgotten. Instead she chewed on what she'd just seen. A situation that required a second opinion. She dialed Lance and told him what had happened.

“What do you make of it?”

“It's definitely interesting.” Monique imagined him squinting and rubbing his fingers together as he often did while deep in thought. “How did they meet?”

“I can't imagine the coincidence of their meeting here. It had to have been during his last visit to Paradise Cove. We argued. He left early. Looks like Ashley was somewhere between my house and the airport.”

“And you say she's friends with Niko?”

“They used to date, but are just friends now.”

“Convenient, wouldn't you say?”

“What do you mean?”

“Your ex comes to P.C., spends a weekend, and weeks later you see Niko's friend all cozy with him.”

“I'm not sure I follow.” Truth was, she didn't want to.

“Niko met Rob. Niko knows Ashley. Niko's an independent. Connect the dots.”

“You think he's behind it?”

“A guy who was leading by more than ten points is now leading by three? With just a couple weeks until the election? Absolutely.”

“Do you still think I can win?”

“Absolutely!”

“Good answer. I'm at the car-rental place, and when I get to the airport, I'll be working on the script for tomorrow's shoot. If I need you to come over tonight—”

“Just give me a call.”

“Thanks, Lance.”

“Don't worry about a thing, Mo. We'll get it done.”

* * *

Niko sat in his darkened home office, sipping a rare snifter of brandy. It had been a long day. His body was tired. But his mind was wide-awake. Who could have given Dick's people the information on Monique? He rested his head against the office chair, slowly swiveled back and forth. Terrell was right. The Schneider family knew a lot of people. It could be anyone.

Deep in thought, he didn't hear the doorbell. But when it buzzed a second time, he set down his glass and walked to the door. Rare that he had unexpected company. Monique, perhaps? He quickened his steps and looked through the peephole.

“What's up, Terrell?” He glanced at the wall clock. “It's rather late for visiting hours.”

“That rule doesn't apply to family.” He followed behind Niko.

“Come on back. I'm in the office. Want something to drink?”

“No, I'm good.” Terrell plopped into an office chair. “Just left a little birthday bash over at The Groove.”

Niko sat and picked up his drink. “Who was celebrating?”

“One of my partner's friends who just moved here from Vegas. He wanted us to show him a little P.C. love.”

“Translated, he wanted you to bring some ladies to liven things up.”

“Pretty much. I called a few friends and invited them over. One of the girls had something pretty interesting to say. Said she wasn't supposed to tell anybody but, you know, a little alcohol and Drake persuasion...”

Niko lifted the snifter, took a sip and waited.

“Ashley doesn't live here anymore.”

“Now, that's a cause for celebration. Sure you don't want a drink?”

Terrell shook his head. “She moved to L.A. with a guy she met here, a dude who was visiting for the weekend.”

Niko shrugged. “I'm really not interested in news about Ashley.”

“You will be. She's now dating and has moved in with Monique's ex.”

“Rob?”

Terrell nodded. “The one we met while having dinner at Acquired Taste.”

Both men were quiet as Niko digested this news. “Ike mentioned not seeing Ashley at the debate. But with so many people there that night, I figured he just missed her.” Niko stood and paced.

“Are you thinking what I'm thinking?”

“That Rob shared information about Monique with Ashley, who then gave it to Dick? No, Terrell, I can't see that happening. Ash is beautiful, but she's not too bright.”

“Perhaps, but she's greedy. And Dick's shrewd. What if he paid her to try to get the goods on Mo?”

“But how would he know about Rob?”

“It's a small town, man. Eyes and ears are everywhere.”

Niko returned to his chair and wearily sat down.

“You know Ashley's a charmer. If a man isn't careful, that girl can get anything she wants.”

“If Rob is indeed the man she's with, he wouldn't stand a chance.”

He reached for his phone and sent Monique a text:

Call ASAP re Rob, Ashley and how your story got leaked.

* * *

Lance had left and she was basically satisfied with what they'd worked out. Still, before she sent the final copy to her PR manager, Monique decided to read the script aloud one final time:

“‘Years ago, while working as an intern at my very first law firm, I made an unwise choice, developing a friendship with a young man while working his case. I was young. He was scared. And alone. I brought personal feelings into a professional situation. This mistake cost me my job, but not my integrity. A hard knock, but a lesson learned. I'm a better person for it.

“‘Recently my conduct, character and choice of acquaintances have been called into question. I am disappointed that someone felt it necessary to use unscrupulous tactics to sully my name and forward their agenda. Because I am a woman of character, I will not respond in kind. I will continue to be who I've always been—the person who wants to move beyond smear tactics and innuendo and help lead the citizens of Paradise Cove into a new day. I am Monique Slater, and I approve this message.'”

She sent off the email and, after turning off her laptop, climbed the stairs to her bedroom. With the adrenaline of anger wearing off, exhaustion crept in to replace it. Mind, body, spirit—every part of her was tired. All she wanted to do was take a hot shower and crawl into bed.

Shoot! I forgot to tell Lance where to meet us in the morning.
She reached for her phone to send him a text. Instead, she read the one from Niko...twice, and then again.
He thinks Rob outed me?
“That's ridiculous. Rob would never do that.”
Would he?

She sat on the bed, remembering the L.A. run-in and how nervous and out of character Rob had acted. But the Rob she knew would never participate in tarnishing her image. Until today, the Rob she knew would not date someone like Ashley, either.

She snatched the phone off the bed and dialed his number. It went to voice mail. “Rob, this is Monique. We need to speak as soon as possible. No matter the time, when you get this message, call me.”

Reenergized, she scrolled to another number. Then, on second thought, she placed the phone on a nightstand and headed to her closet. The conversation with Niko had to be face-to-face.