Lies Lovers Tell (18 page)

“Maya…Maya!” Ester whispered. “Can I hide out in here a minute?” She tiptoed in before Maya could say no. “I’m on my break and don’t even feel like being bothered with Jade and her silly requests. I don’t know what’s gotten into her, but that girl is getting on my nerves!”

Maya knew what had gotten into her…Zeke’s wild woody. But Maya wasn’t in the mood for office gossip right now…her own dramas were enough to fill the day. And to top it off, stress had brought down that time of the month almost a week early. Cramps were kicking her “a.”

“Maya, you all right?” Ester asked. “It looks like you lost your best friend.”

“I’m okay, just a lot on my mind.”

“Is it Stretch, is he okay?”

Ester was one of the few people in the office who knew about her brother’s activities. She had family members in gangs too, and a cousin who had been killed because of the lifestyle.

“He’s okay, as far as I know,” Maya responded. “But I’m worried about him. He’s smart, talented. I wish he would go to college, or even a trade school. He used to fix all kinds of things around the house, and he’s a natural with computers. I just wish he would, you know, do something with his life.”

“He is doing something,” Ester countered. “He’s living it, the way he wants to. It might not be what
you
want for him, but everybody has their own path, Maya. They’ve got to walk theirs, like we’ve got to walk ours. I know it’s hard, but you’ve got to let Stretch be Stretch. And hope that everything turns out okay for him. But that’s not all that’s bothering you, is it?”

“Here you go, trying to get in my business.” Maya smiled.

“It looks like somebody needs to. Besides, I hate to see you sad.”

Sometimes Maya believed Ester was psychic. She had a mothering instinct, and knew just the right thing to say to get a smile. That’s why she made such a great receptionist and Maya thought, in time, would make a great salesperson.

“What would you do if the man you were dating had a secret? And what if in disclosing the secret, it could help you, but possibly hurt him? Would you tell it?”

“I don’t know. What do you mean by help you?”

“I didn’t say me, we’re speaking hypothetically here.”

“Oh, okay,” Ester said with an exaggerated wink. “I mean, help this
hypothetical
executive assistant.”

“Forget it. I’m not even going to ask you.”

“No, please. I’m sorry, Maya. You said the secret could help this person but hurt her friend?”

Maya nodded.

“Hurt him how?”

Maya shrugged. “His career maybe, financially…”

“Do you, does this person still care about him? Or does she not give a damn what happens to him?”

Maya thought for a moment. “She’ll probably always care about him, you know, doesn’t wish anything bad on him. But she feels she has to look out for number one.”

“Then I’d say this person better be sure they can handle the consequences of whatever happens, to her and to him. That’s if she cares. If she don’t, and it’s going to help her career or whatever, then she might as well go for it.”

“You’re too smart to be a receptionist,” Maya said.

“That’s what I keep trying to tell these clowns!” Ester looked at her watch. “Oh well, duty calls. Thanks for letting me hide out.”

“You’re welcome. Let me know if Jade continues to be a problem. She shouldn’t even be giving you work. It should go through the office manager.”

“I know, but Jade’s on a crazy power trip.” Ester ran back to Maya’s desk and whispered, “You ask me, I think the girl is doing some office cock sucking!” She laughed and ran out of the room.

Maya stared at the door for moments after Ester left. Maybe girlfriend was psychic. She’d hit the nail on the head with Jade and come close with her assessment of her and Sean.

There was no denying it; Maya loved Sean and would never do anything she felt would destroy him. But Zeke already knew that Sean
knew
Sam. Would it be an insurmountable tragedy for him to know that Sean
was
Sam?

And what about her? Sean knew that anything affecting B&A directly could affect her indirectly. Yet he continued to investigate Zeke and the company. For what? Why couldn’t he tell her what he knew, whatever it was?”

Her thoughts were interrupted by her cell phone ringing. She smiled.

“Hey, Stretch. Are you still coming over for dinner?”

“That’s why I called, My. I’m going to have to do a rain check, baby girl.”

“That’s the second time this week. What’s up with you?”

Sean’s words about Stretch staying out of things floated through her mind. And she could almost feel something about her twin’s spirit that was unsettled.

“Stretch, I hope you’re not into anything crazy. I don’t think I could handle it if you got locked down again.”

“I’m handling my business, My. Don’t worry about me.”

“But I do, baby brother. I love you. What hurts you hurts me. Each other are all we’ve got.”

“I love you too, sis. And I’d never do anything to hurt you, believe that.”

She thought about Stretch for several moments after their conversation ended. True, she’d helped him out of many jams, but he’d always been there for her too, through messy break-ups, childhood scrapes, keeping her safe when she lived in the hood, surviving their mother’s untimely death. The financial freedom that could come from Angel’s Way and all that went with it was not only for her, but for her brother too. She could buy a home and maybe they could share it. Getting him out of the old neighborhood and his poisonous friends might be the fresh perspective he needed to turn a positive corner.

She was in love with Sean and her brother was her heart. Her eyes watered as she pondered the situation and tried to come up with alternative solutions. She was in too deep and a new life was too close to back out now. Her only hope was that once Sean knew everything, he’d understand why she had to do what she now knew she must. She had to follow her head instead of her heart. She had to finish her assignment…and tell Zeke.

She finished the report Zeke had requested, printed out the last meeting’s minutes, picked up a “just in case” folder, and headed to his office. His wide-open door told her Jade was working elsewhere, maybe on work even. He was on the phone but waved her in. She set the report on his desk, placed the minutes on top of it, and took a seat.

Zeke put down the phone as she walked into his office. “I was just about to call you, Maya.”

Now that Maya had decided to tell Zeke about Sean being Sam, she just wanted to get it over with. But something in Zeke’s demeanor told her to wait. He seemed agitated, and finding out about Sean’s alter ego wouldn’t put him in a better mood. So she waited.

“What is your impression of Sean Wynn?”

It was an unexpected question. All of their previous discussions had always centered on Sam Walters. She couldn’t begin to guess what was on Zeke’s mind.

“I don’t have much of an impression,” she answered. “Other than the first meeting where I, uh, met him I think I’ve only seen him here at the office one other time. We shared simple pleasantries and that was it. Why do you ask?”

“I think that sonofabitch might be trying to screw me.”

Oh, ‘s.’ Does he already know?
“Why do you say that?” she asked.

“I have my reasons. Suffice it to say I’m not sure where his loyalties lie; and that he’s not just acting like he’s on my side to funnel information to Joe Rosenthal. And if I find out he’s trying to double-cross me…that news won’t bode well for his professional future.”

There was a long moment before Zeke continued. “How are things going with you and Sam?”

Maya was still trying to absorb Zeke’s veiled threat against Sean. She fought to keep any emotion from showing on her face, even as she struggled for an answer. “We met a few days ago. I gave him a couple reports. I guess he’s been busy since then because he hasn’t called.”

“Well, you need to call him. I want you to stay close to him, gain his confidence. Sean told me the two of them traveled in some of the same circles in London. I want you to find out what those circles were, anything you can about family, female friends, you know, just casual stuff. I’ve got some guys on the ground in London but I want to exhaust every possible avenue to making sure Sean’s investigation is limited to The Rosenthal Group and no longer on us. Matter of fact…”

Zeke didn’t finish the sentence. Instead, he changed the subject abruptly.

“What do you have for me?”

A knock on his office door was followed by the sound of heels walking quickly across exposed marble in the foyer of Zeke’s office.

“Zeke, I’ve got the tickets for our, oh,” Jade stopped talking when she saw Maya. “I’m sorry. I’ll come back later.”

“Leave them on the table,” Zeke answered.

During the interruption, Maya quickly switched the folder on top, the one she’d intended to give Zeke about Sean with the “just in case” file she brought along in case Jade or someone else had been meeting with Zeke and he’d insisted she leave the information on his desk. She would be forever grateful for the angel who’d inspired that idea. It just may have saved Sean’s life.

“Actually, what I have is for your wife and her charity event.” Maya said after Jade left the office. She passed a beautifully designed portfolio to Zeke. “The design choices for everything: program, brochures, invitations, is all there. I told her I’d drop them off to her but she’s meeting with the volunteers this afternoon and asked that I give them to you to bring home.”

Zeke’s hard stare suggested he did not like being used as a delivery boy.

“You’ve got a lot on your mind. If you want, I can just meet with her tomorrow. I need to pick up a couple more tickets anyway.”

“No, Maya. I’ll take this to Vicki.” He placed the portfolio in his briefcase. “You focus on Sam. Give him a call and try and set up another meeting. I have a feeling they’re close to choosing a firm for the project. Time is running out.”

Maya walked quickly to her office and closed the door. She leaned back against it and took slow, deep breaths, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart. Sean had been right, about Zeke, about everything. How could she have entertained the thought to betray his trust and reveal who he was to Zeke, even for a moment? How had she justified that in her mind? She knew Zeke had a ruthless side, but his words about Sean had chilled her blood. Could the information Sean had be correct about a hit? And if so, was Zeke the one ordering it? Ten minutes ago, she would have rejected the notion out right. But after what she’d heard today, she’d no longer stake her life on it. From now on, she was going to take Sean’s advice and look out from number one.

Sean.
She sat at her desk, reached for her briefcase and pulled out her cell. As she did so, she carefully placed Sean’s file inside of it, the contents of which she was going to destroy as soon as she got home. Even though she had a high powered shredder, she didn’t want to leave a single trace of evidence at B&A. The evidence that she was now ashamed to admit she’d even considered revealing: the picture taken the day she’d seen Sean in Sam’s bed.

Instead of Sean, she got his voicemail. She left a succinct message about needing to see him as soon as possible, placed a few folders in her briefcase and prepared to leave. She used to be excited to get to work every day. Lately, leaving made her happy, and the exit felt more like an escape route.

She rolled her eyes as the phone rang.
Please don’t let it be Zeke.
“Maya Jamison.”

“Maya, it’s Vicki.”

“Oh, hello Mrs. Brennan.”

“We just took a break from our meeting and I can’t reach Zeke. Did you give him the materials?”

“I did and witnessed him putting them in the briefcase myself. All of the designs are wonderful. Your biggest problem will be deciding which one you like best.”

“Thank you, Maya. I appreciate your help. Oh, and Maya?”

“Yes?”

Vicki Brennan paused. “That’s okay; I’ll just try and reach Zeke again later.”

On her way out, Maya passed Jade’s work area. No one was there. She continued toward the lobby, thinking back on Jade’s interruption while she was in Zeke’s office. She’d been too frazzled to make much of it at the time but now, thinking back, she’s almost certain Jade had said “our tickets” when she entered the room. Maya had thought nothing of the tickets from the travel agency lying on the table as she left Zeke’s office. Was Jade accompanying him on his business trips now? And was Jade’s empty office and Zeke’s closed door the reason Mrs. Brennan had been unable to reach him?

The plot thickens,
she thought as she stepped on the elevator.
Jade might be getting ready to learn a lesson about working with high-powered moguls. Don’t piss off his wife.

Maya hurriedly pushed her Bluetooth talk button when she saw Sean’s number. She began without preamble. “You were right, Sean. About everything.”

“What’s the matter, Maya? What happened?”

“Are you in your suite?”

“Yes, but what’s going on?”

“Zeke’s on to you. I’ll tell you everything when I come over.”

“No, baby, don’t come here. Meet me at the house instead.”

Maya didn’t see Sean’s car when she arrived. She sat for just a moment before going to the gate. She guessed correctly. He’d parked in the garage. The buzzer had barely sounded when the gate clicked open.

As soon as the door opened, Maya rushed into Sean’s arms. “Oh, Sean,” she said, tears she hadn’t felt coming now rolling down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry I ever doubted you; that I didn’t believe you fully. You were right about everything. Zeke’s only out for himself. He doesn’t care about me, not really, but only as much as what I can do for B&A. It’s too much, Sean. These lies, Angel’s Way, it’s too much.”

Weeks of tension poured out of Maya along with her tears. Sean silently walked them over to the couch, pulled her onto his lap and held her while she cried. He rubbed her back and wiped the tears he didn’t kiss away. After several long moments, she sat up.

“I don’t know what came over me,” she said, still trying to regain her composure. “I never break down like that.”

“Baby, a lesser woman than you would have broken down long ago.” He placed his finger underneath her chin and raised her head to look directly in her eyes. “Are you ready to tell me what happened?”

Maya recounted the conversation she’d had with Zeke, including his directive that she increase her contact with Sam Walters.

“After everything I’ve done for the company, done for him, it’s still not enough. I owe Zeke Brennan a large sum of money,” she went on. “Almost seventy-five thousand dollars, money he loaned me when Stretch was in trouble. That’s the main reason I’ve worked so hard to secure the Angel’s Way deal. Zeke said he’d remember the work I’ve done and if nothing else, Zeke has always done right by me when it comes to money. I figured the bonus he’d give me would almost wipe out that debt, if not erase it completely.

“And then there’s the prestige that would come from being connected to a project that gets international attention, as this one will. Contacts and leverage I want to use to open my own business, buy a house, help my brother, so many things I’ve tied into the success of this venture. But nothing’s worth changing who I am.

“I almost did something terrible, Sean.” She continued to sniffle and new tears threatened to flow. “I almost told Zeke you were Sam.”

“Shh, shh, baby, it’s okay. Everything is going to work out, Maya. Don’t cry.”

“Did you hear me? I almost betrayed your trust; I went to Zeke’s office to tell him who you were but he started talking before I had the chance. It would have ruined everything Sean: you, me, us. I don’t like what’s happened to me since taking on that assignment for Zeke. I don’t like who I’ve become, what I almost did.”

“You were getting ready to do what you thought you had to, baby. And you’ve been under tremendous pressure lately. I’m just glad things worked out the way they did.”

“It would have been horrible if I’d blown your cover.”

“But it didn’t happen. So let’s move on.”

“Is there any way you can forgive me?”

“Not only am I going to forgive you, but I’m going to help you forgive your debt to Zeke. I’ll give you the money to pay him back. Just give me a few days to get it wired from my bank in London.”

“I could never ask you to do that, Sean. It’s way too much.”

“It’s my gift to you. Don’t turn it down. I’ve been very fortunate in my career and in my investments. Please, Maya. Let me do this one thing for you, Free you from the chain that keeps you bound to that man.”

“How can I ever thank you?”

“You already have. From here on out, we work together, baby. Give me just a little time to work out a plan.”