Barbara Dunlop - Christmas Secrets

There was more silence.

“An abortion?” asked Destiny.

“I almost couldn’t talk her out of it.”

“For future reference, that’s the kind of thing you want to share with your lawyer.”

“I had no idea it would ever come out.”

“Everything always comes out eventually.”

“I didn’t know she’d made an appointment. She didn’t tell me that. It was one night—one long, horrible night where we argued. And then she changed her mind. I don’t remember any of the staff being around. I thought nobody knew but me.”

“She might have told Samuel.”

Amber gave her head a decisive shake. “She knew how much he wanted children. If she’d had an abortion, it would have been in secret. She’d never have admitted to him she’d had doubts.”

They both fell silent, chewing their way through the pizza slices.

“We were about to lose, weren’t we?” Amber asked.

“We were about to lose big-time. Roth knows how to run Coast Eagle, and Samuel was way out front in the character debate.”

“Just because Coco was self-centered doesn’t mean she was wrong to choose me.”

“I agree,” said Destiny, helping herself to another slice. “We need to figure out Cole’s plan. I can guess at Roth’s next move. Between Samuel and his mother, the Hendersons controlled sixty-five percent of Coast Eagle. The other shareholders are minor, mostly companies, none with more than seven percent. But Roth still has a play. If he gets custody, therefore half of the Henderson family shares, and if he can bring the other shareholders on side, he’ll control the board and get himself appointed as president.”

“He doesn’t care anything about Zachary.”

“True, but all but impossible to prove,” said Destiny. “Samuel named him guardian for some reason.”

“If Cole gets custody, he controls all sixty-five percent. He’s invincible.” Amber paused. “But why the ruse?”

“He was obviously looking for information, solidifying his position. That has to be why Luca was cozying up to me.”

“Did you tell Luca anything?”

“Nothing that wasn’t already public. Cole obviously saw you as his primary rival rather than Ross. I’m guessing he was either going to co-opt you or take you out.”

“He must have been shocked when it went in Roth’s favor.”

“And had to suddenly change the game plan. I don’t think they planned it like that.”

“They did have DNA and a marriage certificate at the ready.”

“True,” said Destiny.

Amber took a drink, appreciating the hit of alcohol warming her system. “What do we do now?”

“We need more information on Cole.”

“Maybe I could seduce it out of him. No, wait. I already tried that.”

Destiny gazed at her for a moment, the tone of her voice going softer. “How was it?”

“Seriously?”

Destiny gave a helpless shrug. “What can it hurt to tell me now?”

Amber set down her half-eaten slice of pizza, regret enveloping her. “It was great. He was funny, romantic, totally into me.” She swiped back her hair. “At least he seemed totally into me. Too bad he was faking the whole thing.” Every time she thought about their night together, the humiliation returned. “I’m not sure I can face him again.”

“I could talk to Luca instead. He might give me something we can use.”

“Did you sleep with Luca?”

“Almost. He tried pretty hard.”

Amber held up her glass in a toast. “You’re a stronger woman than me. And you’ve still got that as leverage.”

“I’d have said yes eventually.”

“But you won’t anymore, right?”

“I won’t anymore,” said Destiny. “Well, unless I think it’ll make him talk. Then, well, okay, I’d be willing to take one for the team.”

“I know she’s here,” Cole said to Luca as he pulled open the steel door of the Coast Eagle hangar. “And she’ll have to be polite.”

He knew Amber wouldn’t dare step out of line at the Coast Eagle children’s Christmas party. She’d have to listen to him.

He walked inside.

Carols chimed from unseen speakers, while soap bubbles drifted around them like snow. White lights and colored balls domed over the ceiling, swooping down in swirls and shapes to meet the concrete floor, which was covered in artificial snow.

There was a giant Christmas tree in the center of the hangar and a forest full of lighted trees and friendly elves. A cookie-decorating station took up one big corner of the room. Another group of elves painted Christmas shapes on the children’s faces. And, of course, Santa was in his castle, posing for pictures and handing out presents.

The festive scene jarred with the frustration swirling inside Cole’s head. In the three days since the hearing, a group of lawyers had poured over Samuel’s will. This morning, they’d all agreed that Cole was a beneficiary, entitled to half of Samuel’s estate.

Cole didn’t want an inheritance. When he’d come forward and announced himself, he hadn’t the slightest inkling he’d be included in the will. He wasn’t here to take anything away from Zachary. Still, he’d use the position if it gave them leverage.

“There she is,” said Luca. “Beside the Christmas-tree forest.”

Cole spotted her. As always, he was immediately struck by her beauty. She wore a bright red dress with white piping. It clung to her slender curves.

He was here to talk. But talking was far down on his wish list. For starters, he wanted to haul her off somewhere and kiss her senseless.

“Mr. Henderson,” Sidney Raines greeted him cheerfully, shaking his hand. “I heard the estate was settled this morning in your favor.”

“Call me Cole. It’s nice to see you again, Sidney.”

Of all the vice presidents, Sidney was easily the more savvy and most reasonable. Cole also liked Max. He was less impressed with Julius, and he was prepared to fight long and hard against Roth.

“It’s probably early on to broach the subject,” said Sidney, glancing around the huge building, “and I realize this isn’t the time or the place, but have you given any thought to what role you’ll take on in the company?”

“It isn’t the time or the place,” said Cole. “But you’re right to ask the question. Would you be able to meet over the weekend?”

“Absolutely. You just name the time and place.”

Cole took out his cell phone. “If you give me your cell number, I’ll call you later on.”

Sidney dictated his phone number, then bowed out.

“It’s a good question,” said Luca.

“I know,” said Cole as the two men started toward the brightly lit forest.

“Do you have any idea what you are going to do?”

Cole’s thinking hadn’t made it past the first couple of moves. “I’m going to find a permanent president.”

He worked fourteen-hour days taking care of Aviation 58. He had to get back there as soon as possible. But he’d accepted that he now had a role in protecting Zachary’s inheritance.

The closer they got to Amber, the more beautiful she became. No surprise to Cole.

Zachary was in her arms, also dressed in red and white, a goofy little hat on his head. Cole couldn’t help but smile at how Zachary reached for the twinkling lights of the closest tree. He’d really missed the little guy.

But then Amber saw him.

Her smile instantly disappeared, and her blue eyes went cold. She took a step, and it was obvious she was going to flee.

Cole quickly crossed the space between them, wrapping a hand around her arm and keeping her close.

Luca wisely hung back.

“Everybody’s watching,” he cautioned her in a low tone. “Smile. Pretend it’s all good between us.”