Holt's Holding part two (The Holt's Series) (3 page)

“Yes I’m pregnant.” I pulled my lips tight, then turned and
raised my eyebrows to her. “Surprise? Well, it certainly was for me.”

“Whoa…I don’t know what to say…waking up and finding out
that you’ve been in a coma for three months, then to add to it all a pregnancy…Shit
Lil!” She shook her head, and it was clear the shock was written all over her
expression.

I knew what the next question was; it would be the same as
Brady’s.

“Is Sebastian Vaihn the father?” She was quick, “I figured
something had happened between the two of you…it was obvious that it was headed
that way.” Pausing briefly, she again made another comment “You know he’s been
hounding me for the past three months about you.”

“Really?” I looked from her to Brady.

Brady looked just as surprised as me.

“Yup…him and his partner/ brother, got into it big time at
the agency…no one quite knew what it was about, but a week or two later his
partner, Preston, just up and left.
 
It
was rumored he was headed back to New York.
 
Sebastian, however, has been running things
from the agency. Well not running the agency but he set up shop and manages all
his other business from there.” Pausing she bit down on her lip in thought then
added.

“That’s weird…I wonder what he’s up to?”

Staring at Brady, his mind was working overtime as well. We
were both asking the same silent questions.

 
“But no he’s not the
father Sam.”

“So you two never? Hmm; I was sure based on the way he’s
been about you these past few months that you did?”

Placing my hand to my head, “Oh we did…he was good enough
to put a condom on, as for the father, well…yeah.” rubbing my forehead, I
pulled the baseball cap off and ran my hands thru my hair. I knew my comment
would give Brady the answer he was looking for.

I caught his eyes and watched as he shook his head in
disapproval.

“Um, I had no idea you were a blonde?”
 
Sam called out in surprise.

Fuck; forgot three months and my roots would have grown
out. I could only imagine what I looked like.

“I am…I sometimes forget, I’ve been dying it brown for
years now.”

“But why? Shit, I have to bleach my hair every five weeks
just to get what you have naturally…can you say jealous?”
 
She laughed.

“Yeah, but right now I’m sure I look scary.”

“Not a problem…I can fix your hair…My bag is in my car…however,
I can’t die you to brown, but I can bleach out the rest?”

“You know…going back to my natural sounds good. When do you
want to do this?”

“Now if you want?”
 
She looked giddy.

“How are you with cutting hair?”
 
I smiled waiting for an answer.

“Good…I use to cut my brother’s hair all the time…but are
you sure? How short?” she played with my long hair.

“How about a bob?”

“That’s a lot of hair to cut off Lil…are you sure?”
 

“Very…since I’m trying to keep a low profile…I think short
would do well.”

“I agree.” Brady finally spoke. “Where is your bag?” He
looked to Sam.

“It’s the brown leather one in the back seat.”

Brady stood up and quickly went out to the car fetching all
their bags.

Looking to Sam, I knew something was on her mind.

“What are you thinking Sam?”

“I’ve known you for over two years Lil…and it seems that
there is so much I don’t know about you.” Her face was one of disappointment.

“Sam…I’m a very private person…I have a lot of secrets with
very valid reasons for them.
 
In many ways,
what happened here, all those years ago…changed me more profoundly then anyone
could have imagined. It’s been a driving force, on every plain of who I am.”
 
Pausing, I bit my lip hard debating what
should I tell her.

“Lil…I will never judge. I know you and Brady are up to
something and something big. He’s been traveling so much and the meetings. I’m
a smart cookie, and I know whatever it is that it’s HUGE.”

“It is Sam.
 
Brady
and I have been prepping for years…Sam let’s start with basics. But before I do,
I need you to swear to keep this to yourself…grant it there’s a lot I cannot
tell you because they are sensitive company information, but the other stuff…I
can.”

She nodded her head and sat back into the sofa.

“Let’s start with my full name and not the one HR has.” She
slighted her head and looked quizzically at me. “My name is Elizabeth Lillian
Holt. My last name I had shortened to Holt from “Holtinbach.” I paused watching
the dawn of my last name circle around her.

“Wait…Holtinbach…how do I know that name?” She tapped her
finger on her lips. “Holtinbach Industries…you’re the heir…holey shit…Lil?”

“Yes,” I nodded as she stood up off the sofa.

“Whoa…I remember hearing about the tragedy and how the
company was about to be taken over…”
 
Pausing
she looked over at me in shock…she put it together “Ugh…I remember that it
never happened because it all got tied up in courts; because of you. Your
father had set up some kind of ridiculous clause or trust fund that blew apart
the ability for them to take over the company. The trust was so meticulously
constructed that nothing could happen until the sole heir came into the
maturity age of the trust. You.”

“Yes Sam, that is all true.”

“You knew…you knew that morning in the elevator…and you and
Brady…oh this all makes so much more sense now.” She shook her head

“What makes sense?” Brady came in looking between Sam and
me

“I told Sam my full name…and well it seems she’s very
bright.” I smiled looking up at Sam. Part of me was glad…I didn’t tell her
anything …no, but I knew she would put it together. I suppose I wanted her too.
I needed her to know.

“What exactly have you figured out Sam?” Brady placed their
bags on the floor behind me.

I turned up at him and smiled then swiftly turned back to
Sam.

“Beyond the fact that the two of you have been scheming
something fierce? Oh, and our Lillian here is the heir to Holtinbach
Industries? I think that’s a lot in itself don’t you?” she pulled her
expression tight and crossed her arms at him.

“Well, so that we are clear. Holtinbach Industries is
nothing more than just a dummy company, at this point. Brady and I have pretty
much dismantled it piece by piece.”

“That’s interesting? Why though?” she looked down to me.

“The company that had originally set out to take it over
well let’s just say if they try in the next few months when the trust is no
longer enforceable… they will be acquiring nothing more than a manure plant.” I
laughed.

“Wouldn’t they catch on?” She looked between Brady and me
again

“Nope…we’ve made sure that from their perspective
everything is running as normal but well Lil here had me set up a few smaller
companies over time, and we have been buying rights to patents and control
entities that Holtinbach once owned. As the heir, she could move around the
assets; but we did it in a way that shields her identity to it.”

“And Brady being the brilliant corporate lawyer that he is…well
we’ve gotten a lot done in the past three years.” I raised a crooked smile to
Brady.

“Wow…I don’t know what to say…but I have one question…Where
did Sebastian fit into all this scheming?”

“He didn’t and doesn’t Sam.”

“Right…I don’t buy that for one second.”

I couldn’t help but break out laughing to her expression
and tapping foot.

“Sam, trust me the less you know…the better.” Brady quickly
added. “Something’s in business are personal in nature, and everything about
this is personal. Why don’t we leave it at that?”

“Fine” she rolled her eyes at him. “Ok, let’s get your hair
done…because wow, you look awful,” She laughed, as I understood her changing
the mood.

I almost felt as if I could finally breathe a sigh relief.
Sam was good with what knowledge I gave, and the knowledge that she now
assumed. I have full confidence that she would keep this information to
herself.

We laughed on as about other topics as she filled me in on
her and Brady’s past three months of courting. He laughed from time to time.
She did my hair, and then finally in a last warning, she cut it all off.

It was weird how the simple act of having my hair died and
cut seemed so needed and necessary. It was like freeing me from this charade
that I’ve been playing for so long. Looking around the house…I was glad I was
here and more so glad for the subtle changes in its design.

It was getting late or possible it was me, just tired. I excused
myself and walked down past the family to the master bedroom.

The original house housed my father’s library and office on
this end, but I need the memories to change, so I chose to have a master suite
on the main level. Each room was like a suite, boasting a private bath. Why all
the extra details, I wasn’t really sure, but I realized it would be convenient
for guests; though I never thought to have any. Not here.

I was glad I had made that choice.

Walking into the bedroom, the bed face the banquet of
windows, exposed the most beautiful part of the landscape. The back yard
dropped off, overlooking most of the countryside…tonight it glowed, and the
snow shimmered.

Breaking my gaze, I turned, walking to the opening by the
doors, leading to the bathroom. As I walked, the walk- in closet was directly
behind that wall. I noticed that someone had taken the time to move and unpack
all my clothing…hell, it was so organized. I shook my head, knowing this was
Nana’s work. I smiled and moved further down to the spa like bathroom. Wow, …I
forgot how beautiful it was…the designer undoubtedly knew what he was doing.

Stopping in the center of the space, I took it in.
 
My eyes landing on the oversized glass
shower, I suddenly had a need to climb in. Punching in a few buttons on the
outside of the shower the water turned one.
 
I had everything automated in this house, and
this was my favorite part…a hot shower instantly and without a wait. This was
indeed well worth the money. The multiple showerheads blasted the hot water and
the shower was almost engulfed in steam from the heat.

Yes, Heaven!

I stripped out of the sweatshirt and pants. I was eager to
get in.

The shower was exactly, what I needed and now done bed was
calling me. Funny for a person who has been in a coma for three months; you
would think I would be more than rested, but I was tired…so very tired.

Pulling the covers down, I jumped into bed allowing my mind
to drift into the slumber I was so desperate for.