Michelle Monkou - One To Win

“Ah, young people these days like to tiptoe toward each other.” She steepled her hands. “Well, this makes things even more delicate. You see...I am handing over the entire matter for you to handle because I’m confident that you can.”

“Good to have your support. But maybe that will change once I know what it is and if I’m really capable of meeting your expectations.” Leo had the feeling that whatever Grace was dancing around would not have an easy solution.

“One month ago, I learned that my daughter Verona had another child. A son.” Grace clutched her napkin. “I want him found—quickly and quietly.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Leo needed a moment to let the news sink in. “I’m not a detective.”

“I don’t expect you to personally find the boy. Well, by now, he’s a man. And when he is found, I want him included in my will.”

“But I don’t know how long this will take.”

“I am sure that it won’t take long. And with everyone here under the same roof, I think it is an ideal time for this matter to be resolved. I want my family, every member, to be taken care of in my will.” She played with the collar of her blouse. “Would be nice to see him, don’t you think so, Leo?”

“Um...yes, Grace.” Leo was still stuck on the fact that there was a grandson who might not have a clue about his birth mother and family.

“Not a word of this may be discussed with any member of my family. I will share any news with my husband. But I know my granddaughters will press you for answers. And I’m certain that Fiona will be the one to attempt to draw it from you. I saw how infatuated you are with her. Likewise, she is with you.” She raised her hand at his protest. “I may be old, but I’m not clueless. But please take care to keep your head.”

“I’m not one to cave and lose my integrity.”

“Good. For the child, my grandson, is Fiona’s brother.”

“Oh...I see.” Hard as it would be, Leo was glad that he’d decided to keep Fiona at arm’s length. No way could he allow her to get close and pry any information out of him. With his feelings for her in turmoil, he didn’t want any temptation. “Maybe I should stay at a nearby hotel. It would allow for the privacy that you want.”

“No. I want you nearby, at my convenience. I feel that the situation may shift quickly. But I agree that you’ll be hounded by my granddaughters. What if I moved you to the guesthouse?”

“That would be perfect.” He exhaled, satisfied with his effort to keep his distance from Fiona.

“I think you’re believing too quickly that you’re in control of the situation between you and my granddaughter.” Grace had a way of turning up the heat under Leo’s collar.

“Excuse me?”

“Fiona is a stubborn and proud woman. I don’t know why you broke up. Don’t bother denying that you were together. Don’t need to know the details. But I will say that she may not be so resolute about the separation. I sense a softening in both your attitudes. As long as my priorities don’t cross with yours or hers, then I won’t have to send you packing back to Grayson, Buckley and Tynesdale.” From soft to hard, Grace’s edict dissolved all things warm and fuzzy.

“I think that is enough of an incentive to keep my focus.”

“Good. Now here is the information that I’ve just shared with you and additional details that should help with the search.” She handed him a thin file. “And now, I’m off to go for my morning walk with Henry.” With that, Grace exited the room.

Leo ignored the cold coffee close at hand and retrieved a fresh cup. He still wasn’t interested in the Danish pastries. What had he stepped into with secrets, potential scandal and hopefully a happy ending for this family?

Where did that leave him when his mission had been accomplished? Would he be the hero reuniting Fiona with her brother? More important, did he want another chance to be with her? This case might push him faster than he’d ever imagined toward Fiona. On the other hand, the family’s newly revealed history hadn’t changed the fact that she’d dumped him.

“Fiona Reed, how am I to avoid you?” Leo gazed out the large bay window that overlooked the backyard with its garden and pool. The woman on his mind was visible outside, lounging in the shade with her e-reader. “You are bound to be my temptation.”

His traitorous body flushed with desire. He was older and had better be damned wiser around her. His climb up the career ladder had been swifter than most and he liked his view. Work was even more of a priority. Anything else, Fiona included, would have to be treated like a strict diet plan. Avoid her as much as possible. If that didn’t work, run as fast as he could from temptation.

Chapter 3

Fiona tried to focus on the book on her e-reader. She tried to stick with the story to figure out who’d committed the crime. But her thoughts wandered without restraint to the point that she was merely staring over the top of her e-reader. That was when she saw her grandparents walking together, completely absorbed in their animated conversation without noticing her. It took only a second to make the decision to seek out Leo. To satisfy her curiosity, nothing else.

Even if she didn’t find out why he was here, she wanted to know what he’d been up to. Her conscience needled her for her desire to catch up on his life. She didn’t deserve the privilege—that was more than likely what he thought. Her rationale was a bit kinder, that it could be the open door to regenerating a friendship between them.

Besides, finding out any juicy bits would shut down her cousins’ silly plans to push Leo at her for debriefing. Seeing him in the flesh did bolster her openness to this second chance. The young man who had once interned at Meadows Media had morphed into a self-assured, handsome sight. His nerdy, boyish charm had evolved to well-dressed sophistication with a bit of old-Hollywood confident sex appeal.

Immediately, his intense, dark brown eyes fixed on her. She didn’t look away. Couldn’t. Too much to admire, from his beautiful brown skin to his clean-cut features that showed off the bold contours of his face to the tall, lean lines of his body gifted with the right muscle tone.

Stepping aside to let him focus solely on his career had been the hardest thing to do. But right before her eyes, she could see today that her decision to let him go had been for the best. Damn if it still didn’t hurt like hell, though.

Seeing Leo rattled her. Although she’d anticipated his arrival, when he got out of the car, she hadn’t expected the dizzying rush of emotions to race to the surface. Then seeing him in the house with only a few feet between them had had her almost hyperventilating. Outwardly, he looked unscathed by her earlier actions.

Not that she wanted to see him broken or bitter. The last image of him before they separated, as if her decision had dealt a physical blow to his gut, had become her lasting image of him.

New chapter, new beginnings—maybe that would be the theme for the reunion. Fiona stayed preoccupied, contemplating a strategy about picking up where they’d left off. Truthfully, she didn’t think her attempt would be difficult, especially if he wasn’t in a relationship. But after seeing him in person, the doubts weighed in her belly.

Looking into his face, those eyes staring boldly at her, she sensed the difference in him. No sign of the shy smile or tentative attitude. His cool regard of her resonated like an echo in his demeanor, expression and body language.

If it weren’t for the persistent nudging from her cousins, she’d have ground out the flicker of hope and worked hard to scrub the memories of their times together once and for all.

Clicking off her e-reader, she tucked it against her chest and headed indoors. Time to get started gleaning what she could from her ex-boyfriend.