CEO's Expectant Secretary (11 page)

“I’ll bring a scrambled egg on the side and some oatmeal just in case. Perhaps a little fruit,” the housekeeper continued. “And just a couple of slices of bacon. Protein for the little one.”

Although her stomach seemed the size of a pea, Elle managed to down a few bites of egg, toast and even a strip of bacon. She swallowed several sips of icy fresh-squeezed orange juice and said a mental goodbye to the notion of having staff at her beck and call. That wasn’t the worst of her losses, she knew.

She decided to explain her plans to the housekeeper later, after she had packed. Upstairs, on the bed she’d shared with Brock, she pulled out two suitcases and began to put clothes inside. She found a box for her favorite books and keepsakes she’d brought from her mother’s.

She heard the doorbell ring but ignored it. Elle knew she couldn’t stay under the circumstances. Brock would never trust her and she wouldn’t subject him, her or her baby to the life of misery their enforced togetherness would create. She wouldn’t be able to bear his bitterness and resentment and the effect of his hatred of her on their child. The thought of it wrenched at her again.

“Oh, hello,” Brock’s mother said from the doorway. “Anna said you were napping, but I heard sounds. I hope you don’t mind that I came upstairs,” Carol said. “I just wanted to thank you and Brock for attending my little open house the other night.” Carol stopped, finally
taking in the sight of Elle’s suitcases and boxes. “Oh, my goodness, you’re not packing, are you?”

Elle bit the inside of her lip. “Brock and I have realized we’re not well suited, so I’ve decided it’s best if I leave.”

“Oh, dear,” Carol said, her voice oozing sympathy. “I’m so very sorry.” She walked into the room, dressed in her couture of the day. “But I totally understand. Not everyone is cut out to be the wife of a Maddox. I’m not sure I really was, either,” Carol confessed in a soft voice. “If I’d known in the beginning what I learned just after a year, I’m not sure I would have—” She broke off and shrugged. “Well, you know what I’m saying. Can I help you pack?”

Elle blinked at the woman’s offer. “Uh—”

“I’m sure it’s difficult for you,” Carol said, moving to Elle’s side and picking up a book. “Is this yours?”

“Yes,” Elle said, watching as she put the book in a box.

“I’m so sorry that things didn’t work out with you and Brock, but again, I understand,” Carol said. “Between the Prentice account and the threat from Golden Gate, Brock just can’t see straight. It seems the Prentice account is a twenty-four-hour-a-day job. Maddox is always having to come up with a new campaign.”

Elle’s antennae went on alert. “New campaign for Prentice?” she asked, pasting a bland look on her face. “What was wrong with the old one?”

“With an account like Prentice, they’re always demanding something new. Brock’s most recent idea may cost some bucks, though,” Carol said, picking up a stuffed monkey. “Is this yours?”

“From my mother,” Elle said. “I’ve had him since I was a child.”

“How sweet,” Carol said and put the monkey in the box. “Is this everything?”

“Not quite,” Elle said. “I’m curious. How did you hear about the new campaign for Prentice? I didn’t know a thing about it.”

For a microsecond Carol froze as if she knew she’d been caught. Then she shrugged. “I thought everyone knew.”

“Of course everyone didn’t know,” Elle said, her anger growing. “Only someone who’d looked at Maddox’s plans would know about the changes. Only someone who’d had a chance to look at papers and a flash drive left at home by the Maddox CEO.”

Carol gasped. “Whatever are you saying?”

“Hello, Mother,” Brock said from the doorway, shocking Elle with his entrance. She gaped at him, wondering what had made him return home so early. He shot a glance at her full of forgiveness and repentance that made her heart turn over.

“Why, hello, Brock,” Carol said with forced happiness. “What a surprise.”

“You were the one,” he said, walking toward his mother.

Carol gave a one-shoulder shrug and steadied herself on an end table. The woman suddenly appeared frail to Elle. “What are you talking about?”

“You looked at my file. You made a copy of my flash drive,” he said.

Carol shrugged again, but this time she backed away. “What’s that? What file?”

“The file for the Prentice account. You sent it to Golden Gate,” he said. “You wanted me to believe Elle sent it, but all along, it was you.”

“It could have been her. She lied to you before you married her. She could have brought down Maddox Communications,” Carol said, her eyes glinting with fear and fury.

“Why did you do this?” he demanded. “It would only hurt you in the end.”

“I knew you would find a way to top Golden Gate Promotions, but your marriage was ruining my future. Look at what it’s already done to me. I’ve moved into a small condo! And I know the terms of your father’s will. My income has been cut as a result of your bastard child.”

Elle stared at the woman in shock. How could one person hold so much vindictiveness and evil? She almost couldn’t comprehend it.

Brock’s eyes blazed with fury, but his voice was deadly calm. “I’m done with you. I never want to see you again. You won’t get one more penny from me. I’m sorry you’ve turned into such a bitter woman, but I won’t have you contaminating my marriage. Now, get out.”

Carol narrowed her eyes at him in impotent rage, then stomped from the room. Her heavy footsteps echoed down the stairs and the sound of a door slamming vibrated throughout the house.

Brock took a deep breath and looked at Elle. “I was wrong.”

Elle nearly laughed. “You think so?”

He walked toward her. “I am so very, very sorry. I
should have believed you and from now on, I will,” he promised.

Elle tore her gaze from his to glance at her luggage, trying to hang on to her plan to move away from him and make a new life for her baby and herself. “We have so much baggage,” she whispered. “How can you ever trust me?”

“I already do,” he said. “I trusted you when I shouldn’t have. When I was told by a professional that you were deceiving me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I forced the P.I. to give me evidence that you were selling secrets to Golden Gate. Not until he provided me with ironclad proof did I believe it.”

Elle felt her eyes burn with tears. “I hate it that I lied to you. I hate myself for it.”

“You need to forgive yourself,” Brock said. “I forgive you.”

Elle looked up, searching his gaze. “How can you?”

“Because I know you were doing the best you could. I know you were tortured about it,” he said.

“I was,” she agreed. “When I met you, I fell so hard for you. In my grandfather’s plan, everything was supposed to remain business, but you blew me away. You were everything I’d wished for in a man, but had never found.”

“And you were everything I wanted in a woman, but felt I’d never find. When I made love to you, I felt like I was coming home,” Brock said, pulling her into his arms. “I never knew what love was before I met you.”

Elle’s heart stopped in her chest. “Love?”

He nodded. “Love. I was willing to risk it all for you. Even Maddox Communications. Logan tried to talk me into prosecuting, but I refused. It wasn’t just about the baby. It was about the connection you and I shared. I knew I’d never find that again. When you told me that you’d agreed to spy for your grandfather so that your mother would get her treatments, I could only hope you felt that strongly about me.”

“I do,” Elle said. “I would do anything for you, Brock. I love you. More than anything. I want to build a life together.”

“Then stay,” he said, pressing his mouth against hers. “Stay forever.”

T
he jazz band played in the background of the Maddox Communications party. They were celebrating the merger of Maddox and Golden Gate Promotions with Brock as the CEO. Elle slid a hand behind her grandfather’s back and gave him a hug. He felt so frail to her. “Are you okay?” she asked.

Her grandfather smiled. “It was meant to be. Your husband is the future of both Maddox Communications and Golden Gate Promotions. My sons didn’t have the drive, but Brock, he does.”

Elle glanced at Brock across the room as he chatted with his brother and felt a rush of love. Their relationship had grown by leaps and bounds during the last few weeks.

“I should sit down,” her grandfather said.

“Of course,” she said, feeling remiss. “Can I get you something else to drink?”

“This water is fine,” he said and nodded as he sat. “Go see to your guests.”

Elle dropped a kiss on his forehead. For all the pain and suffering Athos had caused, he had led her to Brock and she was thankful for that. She had walked just a few steps when she was stopped by Evan and Celia Reese.

“How is life with the CEO of the newly merged Maddox Communications and Golden Gate Promotions?” Evan asked. “Are you keeping him in line?”

“Ha,” Elle said, but smiled because Brock had made a special point to spend more time with her lately. “You two look like you’re doing great. I’m so happy you could come to the party.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Celia said, pushing her red hair behind her ear as she gazed affectionately at her husband. “This is actually a stopover. We’re going to the French Riviera. Evan is determined to give me a honeymoon I’ll never forget.”

“It’s hard being married to an overachiever, isn’t it?” Elle joked.

Celia laughed. “You bet. Good luck with the baby.”

“Thanks,” Elle said and moved toward Brock. She noticed he and his brother were looking intently at their cell phones.

“What are they doing?” Elle asked as Flynn’s wife appeared at her side.

“It’s the battle of the ultrasounds,” Renee said. “We may know the sex of our baby, but yours is set to disco. I think it’s a draw.”

Elle laughed. “How are you feeling?” she asked.

“Excited,” Renee said, stroking her full pregnancy bump. “The doctor says my due date will be here before I know it, but it feels like forever.”

“Any names yet?” Elle asked.

“We’re still playing with the first name, but I want Flynn for her middle name,” Renee said.

“I love that,” Elle said.

Renee nodded. “It’s good, isn’t it? What about you and Brock?”

“We find out the sex for sure at the end of this week. If it’s a boy, we’ll include Brock’s father’s name somehow,” she said.

Renee tilted her head. “Your mother looks great.”

Elle’s heart squeezed tight as she looked at her mother standing several feet away, tapping her foot as she enjoyed the party and the music. “Thank you. She’s come a long way.”

“There are our brides,” Flynn interjected, clinking his beer against Brock’s beer bottle. “We did good, didn’t we?”

Brock met Elle’s gaze and she felt a melting sensation. “I couldn’t agree more,” he said. “I won the ultrasound contest.”

“That’s a lie,” Flynn said. “I know the sex and my baby is going to beat you to the punch.”

Before Brock could dispute his brother, Jason Reagert and his very pregnant wife, Lauren, approached them. “If we’re going to talk about winning the time game, Lauren and I will beat both of you,” Jason, newly promoted to vice president, said.

Lauren, in her ninth month of pregnancy, glowed
with love and happiness. “That’s right,” she said. “Our baby boy could make his appearance any minute.”

“Stop making me nervous,” Brock said. “Do we have a doctor in the crowd?”

“Trust me. I’m on the edge of my seat,” Jason said. “I have a packed bag for her sitting in the car.”

Gavin Spencer, the former ad executive for Maddox who had started his own business, stepped forward and extended his hand. “Congratulations,” Gavin said. “I can only hope I’ll give you some competition in the future.”

Brock gave a loud chuckle. “You dog.”

Bree smiled at her husband. “Don’t underestimate Gavin,” she said.

“Or you,” Brock said. “Elle tells me you helped with redecorating the house. Thanks,” he said.

“My pleasure,” Bree said.

Brock took a deep breath and exhaled, squeezing Elle’s shoulders. She could feel his excitement emanate from his body, and she knew that when all was said and done, he would come home to her, seeking her love and affection. The knowledge made her feel more complete than she’d ever dreamed.

“It’s time for a toast,” Brock said as someone dinged a spoon against a crystal champagne flute. It took several moments, but silence finally descended over the crowd. “This has been a long time coming,” Brock said. “Golden Gate Promotions has been a jewel in the crown of San Francisco ad agencies, always raising the bar for their competitors. I’m pleased to announce the merger of Golden Gate Promotions and Maddox Communications. The combined force of the two companies will create
an unbeatable alliance of power and talent. To Athos Koteas,” Brock said, lifting his glass to the man seated on the other side of the room. “I will always honor your spirit of creativity. To my father, I will always honor the gift of Maddox Communications that he built from the ground up. To my wife, Elle,” he said, taking her by surprise.

She blinked at him.

“Yes, you,” he said. “You have given my life meaning beyond work. You have given me a home whenever I’m with you. I love you.”

Elle’s eyes filled with tears. “I love you, too,” she whispered.

The room echoed with applause.

“Hear, hear,” Asher Williams, CFO of Maddox Communications said. “Melody and I have some news, too,” he said, pulling his lovely wife against him. “We’re having twins.”

The group crowed with approval and applauded again.

“Congratulations,” Brock said, extending his hand. “You’ve been busy.”

“No more than you,” Ash said with a broad smile.

Walter Prentice, Maddox’s star client, stepped forward and patted Brock on the back. “You’re doing a good job. More than ever, I can tell we signed with the right firm.”

“I’m glad you feel that way,” Brock said. “We’ll work to make sure you continue to feel that way. Mrs. Prentice,” Brock said, nodding toward Walter’s wife. “Thank you for coming tonight.”

Angela looked strained and unhappy, which was
highly unusual for Walter’s beloved wife. “Congratulations on your success,” she said. “And on the baby. Never underestimate the importance of your wife and children.”

Brock sensed a sadness beneath the surface, but he knew now wasn’t the time to comment. Instead, he took her hand in his. “I won’t,” he said earnestly.

Brock felt his brother, Flynn, draw him aside. “Excuse me,” he said to Angela.

“We have something else to toast,” Flynn said, giving his brother a fresh beer.

“What?” Brock asked.

“Who isn’t here tonight?” Flynn asked. “Who is missing?”

Brock glanced around the busy room and shrugged. “I don’t know. Who?”

“Mother,” Flynn said with a dry smile.

“Oh, my God, you’re right,” Brock said.

“Renee tells me she has found a man willing to keep her in the style to which she has become accustomed,” Flynn said.

“How could we possibly get that lucky?” Brock asked.

“I don’t know, but I refuse to question good fortune.” He bumped his bottle against Brock’s again. “Dingdong, the witch—”

“Is gone,” Brock said and slapped his brother on the back. “I never would have pictured this last year. Would you?”

Flynn shook his head. “Some things turn out better than you expect,” he said.

Brock latched his gaze onto Elle as she walked
toward him. She was his home. He’d never known true love until her. Thank God he’d found her. “Better than I could have dreamed,” Brock said and opened his arms to his wife.

“Are you having a good night?” she asked, smiling up at him.

“I’m having a good life,” he said. “Because of you.”