Page 32 of Not That Guy

Brenner

The weight of Grady’s gaze rested solely on me.

“I should get back to work,” I told him. My damn ankle still made movement slow-going, which gave Grady the chance to put in his two cents.

“I’m not judging you. I hope you know that. But it could get complicated.”

“I’m aware. Because of his father.”

“Indirectly. But being with a high-profile person such as Weston, even though it’s not his choice, means more eyes on you as well.”

“I have nothing to hide.” The conversation was getting a little too personal for my liking.

“I appreciate your concern, Grady, but I don’t think it’s going to be a big deal.

West is a politician’s son, but he didn’t do anything wrong.

I’d better go. I have a client meeting at ten.

” Before Grady could respond, I escaped to my office, making sure I shut the door behind me.

For only a moment, I hesitated, then placed a call.

“I need your advice.”

“What for?” Christine purred. “Your man looked totally smitten—he couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

Even with the situation brewing, I couldn’t help the happy bounce of my heart. “Uh, well, it’s not about that. Well, maybe it is…” I floundered, and she jumped in.

“What’s the issue?”

When I explained, she sucked in a sharp breath. “Poor Weston. I think you should meet with Madden. He’s lived through a scandal, and he knows how to handle the press.”

I hadn’t thought about that. “Good idea, but I’m not friends like that with him. We’re more business acquaintances. Wouldn’t it look odd to just call him up to discuss his personal life?”

“Well, of course, sweetheart. That’s where I come in.” Her laughter lightened the lead weight in my gut. “We’ll have lunch. I’ll arrange it and let you know when and where.”

“I appreciate it, but I’m sure a man like Madden Steele has his time booked up. This is a time bomb.” I leaned my forehead on my hand. “I can only imagine if they find out who I am, a foster kid whose mother was a drug addict…”

“Stop that,” she snapped. “I won’t let you go down that black hole. We’ll fix this. Let me go and make my calls.”

I sat at my desk, grateful for my friend but uncertain she could pull off a miracle.

I should break my rule of ignoring my past and find out who I was before someone else did it for me, so I called ACS, and after a few minutes of being transferred between departments, I finally found a person to help me.

He put me on hold, and I waited, listening to the canned music.

“Mr. Fleming? Thank you for waiting.”

“No problem. Did you find anything out?”

“Being that your case is over thirty years old, none of the files are computerized. They’d be in a warehouse, and we’d have to put in a ticket number to retrieve them. Those files would contain notes from the social worker who worked on the case.”

I winced. “I see. So there’s nothing you can tell me?”

“Just the basics that you likely already know. You suffered from secondhand exposure to various drugs and spent some time in the hospital. You were made a ward of the state when she was sentenced.” I could hear the clicking of the mouse. “That’s all we have in summary.”

“Thank you.” Frustrated, I rubbed my face. I had to get my mind into my work. People depended on me. My phone buzzed.

Madden will meet you at the Mark at 2.

My lips twitched. If I could pick anyone to have on my team, it would be Christine.

**

At exactly two p.m., I spotted Madden Steele striding through the restaurant, and I rose from my seat.

“Good to see you again.” I shook his hand. “Although I hadn’t anticipated it to be so soon.”

His eyes twinkled. “I thrive on spontaneity, and Christine told me it was a matter of some urgency, so why don’t we order and get to the point?”

“Shouldn’t we wait for Christine? She said she’d be here.”

His gaze was steady. “She assumed you’d be more comfortable with me alone.”

The waiter appeared, and we ordered—Madden the chicken club, and me only a soup because my stomach couldn’t handle much else.

I explained my relationship with West, from law school to the hotel hookup and our reconnection. Madden listened intently until I was finished. “So now that Weston’s been outed, you think they’ll come after you?”

“Listen. Weston knows I was a foster kid. But I’m worried they’ll come after him by using my birth mother’s past—and by they , I mean his father or the press. Or both.”

Madden’s lips thinned. “Trust me, I know all about family deceit and sabotage. And I’ve heard of his father.

” Distaste dripped from his voice. “Enough said. Archer and I faced similar issues—his escorting background was fodder for the tabloids for weeks, and my aunt fed them every juicy bite they wanted. You need to get ahead of the information so they can’t hit you with a surprise. ”

“I agree. I called ACS, and they could only tell me my mother was incarcerated after the drug raid on her house.”

Madden pulled out his phone. “Give me names, dates, and any other information you’ve got. I’ll have it checked out and call you when I have something. I’ll put a rush on it, and it’ll be confidential.”

The knot of anxiety that had gripped me since the morning loosened.

We finished our lunch, and Madden paid the bill.

“Thank you, Madden. I appreciate your help.”

“Neither you nor Weston should have to live under the threat of whatever it is that’s coming.” We walked out to the street. “Who contacted Weston? Was it a news organization?”

“It’s called Politiclout . Weston was so upset about the phone call from his father, he didn’t want to talk about anything else. He has no idea I’m talking to you.”

“I’ve heard of them.” I could almost see the wheels turning in Madden’s head and remained quiet. As head of a multibillion-dollar real-estate enterprise, Madden Steele was as savvy a businessperson as they came, and I’d welcome any and all suggestions.

“I’ll have my publicity people nose around and let you know.

” His smile was grim. “I’ll be in touch.

And for what it’s worth, don’t let small, petty-minded individuals determine how you live your life or whom you want to love.

Surround yourself with people you can trust to always be in your corner and have your best interests at heart. ”

“I think I have.” I extended a hand, and we shook. “Thank you.”

He walked away, leaving me wrestling with my thoughts. My calendar was light that afternoon, and Weston was running on back-to-back meetings, so there was little chance for us to connect. In my office, I called Bill.

“Hey, kiddo. What’s goin’ on?”

“I have some questions. I’m asking them for a reason that I’ll tell you about, but not right now.”

“Uh, okay. Shoot.”

“What do you know about my birth mother? Did you ever get any information on her? I-I need to know where she lives, or just anything.”

“Listen, kiddo. Your mother and I didn’t ever wanna say anything because we didn’t wanna upset you.”

“Upset me about what?” I grimaced. “What could be worse than what I already know?”

He sighed. “She—Alicia—she died.”

Even though I had no recollection of her, hearing the words hurt. “Do—do you know how?”

“She spent nine years in prison, and when she got out, a coupla years after her release, they found her stabbed to death under the Gowanus, near Thirty-ninth Street.”

“Jesus.” I sucked in my breath. “She never really had a chance, did she?”

“Maybe not, given what she’d been through—she was only sixteen when she had you, an addict…but you did. You were the most important thing to us, and we didn’t want you to be upset, so we decided not to tell you. I’m sorry, Brenner.”

“Don’t be. I’m not angry with you.” It was true. “Funny enough, I’m not angry with her either. Not anymore.” Grief sheared through me. “Her life was over before it had a chance to begin.”

“Why the questions about her all of a sudden?”

I hung my head. I wasn’t ready for this conversation. Especially not without talking to Weston first.

“I can’t get into it now. But soon.”

“Okay, I guess. You ain’t in trouble, are ya?”

“No. I’m good. Talk to you soon. Love you.”

“Bye. Call me.”

I sat, my head in the clouds. My phone buzzed. “Yes?”

“It’s Daniel. Can you come to my office, please?”

My heart sank. “Be right there.”

Feet dragging, I walked the halls until I reached Daniel’s office.

Joanne, his secretary, held up a finger. “I’ll let him know you’re here.” She spoke into the phone, then looked up at me. “Go right in.”

I mustered a faint smile and tried to ignore the pounding of my heart as I entered.

“Sit, please.” Daniel pointed to the chair at the conference table and joined me. “I’ve already talked to Weston, but I’d like to hear what you have to say.”

“About what?”

Daniel’s lips twitched. “Well played. I knew you were a good attorney.” He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

“I’ll tell you what I told Weston. I don’t care what people do in their spare time unless it’s illegal or negatively impacts the firm.

I wasn’t aware that you and he were more than friends, and I suppose there’s no reason I should’ve been.

We don’t have a no-fraternization policy, and there’s no intention to start one. ”

Even the tips of my ears burned. God, to have Daniel talking about my sex life made my skin crawl. I was certain my face was bright red.

“That being said, Weston has told me there have been some…inquiries about your relationship. I expect you’ll keep the firm out of the press.”

“Of course. And please, I don’t want you to think Weston and I—”

Daniel held up a hand. “Brenner. You don’t owe me or anyone else an explanation. You have a right to be happy.”

Inexplicable tears burned my eyes. “Thank you.”

I left the office and headed to Weston’s to see if he was finally free, but his paralegal stopped me.

“He left about an hour ago.”

“How did he…was he okay?”