Harlequin Kimani Romance September 2014 Bundle: Seduced by the Heir\Secret Silver Nights\Someone Like You\Indulge Me Tonight (34 page)

Chapter 28

T
errell had barely been gone thirty minutes when Niko's doorbell rang again. He'd just stepped out of the shower.

“What did he forget?” Niko mumbled. He reached for a towel, wrapping it around himself as he padded barefoot down the stairs and to the door. “Man, you'd forget your head...” The rest of the sentence died on his lips. “Monique.”

She immediately noticed his state of undress. “I'm sorry to come over without calling, and I hope I didn't disturb you. But I had to talk to you, in person. It couldn't wait.”

He nodded. “Come in.” They walked into his living room. Niko sat on the couch, just as comfortably as he would if fully dressed. He motioned for Monique to sit, as well. She chose an accent chair across from him.

“I take it you read my text and finally decided that you might need to listen to what I have to say.”

“Yes.”

“Good. The first thing you need to hear and understand is that neither I nor my independent party is behind that ad.”

“I've begun to entertain other possibilities.”

“I understand you were angry, with every right to be upset. But I'm offended that you would think so little of me as to rush to judgment and declare me guilty without so much as a conversation. Even an admitted murderer is entitled to a fair trial.”

“You're right. I should have listened.”

“I'm sure mentioning Rob and Ashley in the same sentence got your attention. Rumor has it they're together, living in L.A.”

“It's not a rumor.”

“You knew about this?”

“I ran into them today.” Niko's brow arched. “On my way to the airport, I stopped to grab a bite to eat at one of my favorite spots. The place just so happens to be near Rob's house and also just so happens to be one of his favorite places, too. So, I'm sitting in the dining room waiting for my order when I hear him being greeted as he walked through the door.”

“He didn't see you?”

“There's a curtain that separates the rooms.”

“What happened?”

She told him. “He acted strangely,” she finished. “But given that he was with someone new and we used to date, that's not unusual. The weird part was Ashley. Rob hardly seems her type.”

The tension was palpable as silence descended. “How did you find out about them?” she finally asked.

“My brother told me. He ran into one of Ashley's friends at a party, who mentioned she'd met a guy from L.A. a while back and he'd asked her to move in.”

“That is so unlike him! Rob is a methodical, deliberate thinker who never makes a spontaneous move. That he just met a woman who is now living with him is...mind-boggling!” Unable to sit still, she stood and looked out the window.

“Does he know about what happened when you were an intern?”

She turned, crossing her arms as she looked at him. “Yes.”

“Then I'd bet my life that he told Ashley, and she told someone who either gave or sold the information to Schneider.”

“You sound sure of it.”

“A company called JDA Associates paid for the ad. They've also made several contributions to Dick's campaign. I just have to find out their names.”

Niko's phone buzzed. Monique gave him a look.
She thinks it's a booty call.
He tapped the speaker button.

“What's going on, sis? No, I'm still up.” He casually observed Monique taking her seat again while he listened. “You sure about this?”

Her mouth fell open.

“Well, I'll be damned. Thanks to you, Teresa, the question I just brought up has been answered.”

He ended the call and stared at Monique.

“Joy and Ashley?” She could barely hear her voice through the shock. “The DeWitts are behind the ad?”

“You heard it for yourself. J-D-A. Joy. DeWitt. Ashley. Seems obvious now, though I never would have guessed.”

“I can't believe it.”

“I can. You don't know Joy. And Ashley is a chip off the old block.”

“Which can only mean one thing.” Her shoulders fell. “Rob told Ashley.”

“And she told Joy.”

For the first time since opening the door, his mask slipped, giving Monique a brief look at the hurt in his eyes. It moved her off the chair and to the couch.

“Niko, I'm sorry. You're right. I heard Independent Citizens and immediately found you guilty. I was too angry to listen, too hurt at the thought that you could betray me.”

“So you can imagine how your accusations made me feel.”

“Yes.” She reached out to touch him.

He stayed her hand. “Don't.” He stood and increased the distance between them.

“Like I said earlier, you had every right to be upset. Unfortunately, words once spoken cannot be unsaid.

“With everything we've shared—the days of conversation and nights making love—how could you flip the switch so quickly and believe me to be the type of man who'd ruin your reputation?”

She stood. He tensed. She did not walk toward him. “I should have considered how great of a man you are and listened the first time you called. But I misread the fact that I couldn't reach you. By the time you called, I'd made up my mind. You did it. End of story. I overreacted, spoke without thinking and made terrible accusations. Niko, I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?”

“I can forgive you but I won't forget.”

“You and I have shared amazing times together. I'd hate to lose our friendship.”

“I can't make any promises on that front. What I can do is share my thoughts on the matter and voice my outrage. Short of endorsing you, that's about it.”

She was the only one who smiled.

“I appreciate that, Niko. Tomorrow I'm taping my response to that horrible ad. Hopefully, it will air tomorrow night.”

“I'll be watching.”

Two seconds passed.

Five.

Ten.

Niko stood feet away, arms crossed, his expression once again unreadable. “It's late, and we both have busy days tomorrow.”

“You're right.” Monique reached for her purse. “Thanks for seeing me, Niko.”

“Teresa's call was right on time.” He walked to the door and opened it. “See you later, Monique.”

She paused, uncertain. He did not look at her. “Okay, then. Good night.”

Monique walked to the car with a heavy heart. For a moment she just sat there, as regret mixed with sadness and filled her soul. As an attorney, she'd always prided herself on being meticulous in her fact gathering, diligent in her research. Where had that discipline been when she'd seen the ad?

There was not one thing Niko had said that hadn't been accurate. She should have known that he'd never do anything like this to her. At the very least, he should have been given the benefit of the doubt. But that hadn't happened. And now, Monique realized as she started the car and headed back to her condo, it may be too late to get back what they had.

The next day went by in a blur: meetings, the taping, more meetings, an appearance at the local grocery store and still more meetings. Monique welcomed the nonstop pace. It helped her forget how sexy Niko had looked in that towel last night, how much she'd wanted to feel his embrace and, most of all, the hurt she'd seen in his soulful brown eyes. By the time she joined her staff for dinner at the Cove Café, she'd almost put last night out of her mind. What couldn't be forgotten, however, was that almost everyone in P.C. had seen the negative ad, evidenced by the myriad of looks she now received. She forged ahead, greeted everyone with a smile and invited them to hear the other side of the story, airing tonight on their local news.

“What time is it?” her volunteer coordinator asked.

Lance looked at his watch. “Almost eight o'clock.” He looked at Monique. “Are you sure you don't want to watch it? We can make it to my house in time.”

Monique shook her head. “I've watched it a dozen times already. I did my best and told the truth. It's now up to the citizens to decide who they'll believe.”

The first response came about fifteen minutes later, as they were finishing their meal. A middle-aged woman who Monique remembered worked at the grocery store walked up to their table.

“I just wanted to tell you that I saw your ad. And while it's nobody's business who you dated, I applaud your honesty. Who hasn't done something in their youth that they've later regretted? Hold your head up, darlin'. You've still got my vote.”

Monique stood and hugged her. “Thank you very much. I truly appreciate your support.”

These sincere words warmed her heart, but not near as much as the text she received on the way home. It was from Niko and said simply:
Good job.

* * *

Niko buried himself in work. A week after seeing her, he continued to nurse a bruised ego and tamp down anger at her misjudgment of his character. Even so, he missed Monique more than he'd imagined. She'd wanted him that night; he was sure of it. Probably only half as much as he'd wanted her. The look of raw desire in her eyes when she'd tried to touch him had almost been his undoing.

Bryce entered the office. “I'll be glad when this is over,” he lamented, as he sat down with a sigh. “You're a slave driver.”

“Ha! You want this as much as I do.”

“What I want is to be city commissioner.”

“Once I'm elected, you've got it.”

“After that initial dip, her numbers have increased and are now holding steady. Schneider has lost three more points.”

“Yes, and probably to Monique. Instead of running from the situation, she tackled it head-on. Her response was perfect, forthright, succinct and genuine. Those are the qualities people want to see in their leaders.”

Niko's intercom buzzed. “Yes?”

“Lawrence Hayes, the principal of P.C. Elementary, is on line one.”

“Thanks.”

Niko took the call, finished his day and had dinner with his family. With one week left in the final stretch, it would be the last meal he enjoyed with them until after the election.

* * *

“Emma, I need to take this call. Let's catch up again soon, okay?” Monique tapped her cell-phone screen and placed the call on speaker as she prepared a cup of tea. “Hello?”

“Monique, it's me.”

“Hello, Devante. I've been meaning to call you.”

“I know you've been busy, trying to become a big-shot mayor and whatnot. It's about that time, right?”

“Yes, a week until election day. One way or another, it's the end of the race.”

“How are you feeling?”

“I'm okay. I've worked hard and done my best. Now it's up to the voters. How are you doing?”

“Great! In fact, that's why I called—to thank you.”

Monique stopped in midstir. “Thank me? For what?”

“For whatever you did to get Mr. Hayes to call and offer me my old job back. The chief of police there called me, too.”

“Devante, I'm thrilled that Lawrence called you, but I haven't spoken with him.”

“Oh, I just assumed you were the reason he called because of how he talked, about wanting to help me turn my life around and stay positive. He's talked to my parole officer and everything. I'm going to move back there and take online classes. After I get my degree, he'll promote me to the athletic department.”

Monique picked up the phone and walked to the couch. “This is wonderful news. I bet Lawrence realized what a gem of a person he'd lost. I know the kids loved you. They probably hounded him to hire you back.”

“Ha! That sounds about right.”

“Why did the chief of police call you?”

“To explain how by investigating me he was only following standard procedure, blah, blah, blah, and to tell me I was welcome in his town.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I thought that was kind of weird. Definitely sounded like you worked that.”

“Nope, haven't talked to him, either. So when are you coming back, and do you need a place to stay?”

“That's the other thing. Mr. Hayes's nephew has a three-bedroom condo and is looking for a roommate. I'll move in about two weeks.”

“Just to be sure there are no more problems, I'll call your parole officer first thing in the morning.”

“Call him after you're elected mayor. That will sound more official, and let him know I'm rolling with the ballers.”

“Thanks for that vote of confidence. I'll see you soon.”

Monique sipped tea and thought about the call. What happened to bring about Lawrence's change of heart? And the police chief calling?
What would make him do that?

As days went by, the question changed. It became not what...but who?

* * *

The night before the election, Monique called Niko. They hadn't talked since the night she'd gone to his house. She hoped he'd answer. That he wasn't busy. Or with someone else.

“Hello?”

“Niko, it's Monique.” Silence. “I won't keep you, just called to thank you for what you did for Devante. You are the one who talked to Lawrence, correct?”

“I made a couple calls. No big deal.”

“It's a very big deal. He's superexcited to come back, and that the chief of police welcomed him personally? That type of behavior from law enforcement is something that men like Devante rarely see.”

“From what you've told me, I felt he deserved a chance.”

“He does. Thank you.”

“You're welcome.”

She settled back on the couch with a huge grin on her face. Simply talking to a man shouldn't make her this happy. But it did. “So...are you ready for tomorrow night?”

“Yes. Are you?”

“I guess so. Still working, though.” She waited, but he said nothing further. The ice may have thawed a bit, but it hadn't melted. “Well, I'll let you go, then. Good luck, Niko.”