The Millionaire’s Ultimate Catch Read online

  Zack stared at the phone on his desk. He’d wanted to call Naomi so many times but had resisted the urge. Calling her required something from him. He’d have to explain and give details about his thoughts, even his fears. Right now, he barely had a handle on what was going on in his mind.

  “Zack.” His secretary popped in her head through the open door. “Your father is here to see you.”

  Zack straightened his tie and smoothed the front of his shirt. He’d just adjusted himself in the chair when his father entered his office.

  A visit from his father wasn’t frequent, and more specifically it wasn’t unannounced. From his father’s serious expression, this visit wasn’t a fun drop-in.

  “I’ve been trying to reach you all night, especially after you dropped off Naomi.”

  “I had a lot on my mind. I wasn’t answering the phone.”

  “That’s why I came to you.” His father took a seat. “Look, I’m not liking what I’m hearing out there. I’m trying to get to the bottom of it. But at the moment, I’m more concerned that your company is coming under scrutiny.”

  “This is what you were talking about last night?”

  His father nodded.

  “I haven’t heard anything.”

  “Instead of waiting for the hammer to fall, why don’t we set up a meeting with the council members? Let’s find out what the issues are and then we can fix them before the entire council gets together to vote or take action.”

  “Dad, I think you’re thinking the worst of the situation. Like I said, no one has informed me of any scrutiny. And besides, I want to be able to handle this.”

  “On your own?” His father shook his head. “This isn’t the time to be stubborn. Look, I’m proud of where you’ve gotten with your company. But we can combine forces and be pretty formidable. This is your legacy.”

  “I appreciate what you’re saying. This company wasn’t created to get under your skin. You focus on residential and I focus on commercial. I want a chance to make mistakes, take risks, follow my strategy. You taught me all those things. Now I want to put them to good use,” Zack argued.

  “I get it, but this is important. Why be stubborn? You don’t have to prove yourself to me. Your mother. Any one.”

  Zack groaned and pushed back from the desk. On the surface, his father would think that he was being rebellious. There was that side to him. A side that showed itself more so when he was a teenager.

  After college, returning home as an adult, he didn’t have it in him to be a pain. Instead he wanted his father’s approval.

  His phone rang, but he allowed his assistant to receive the call. Less than a minute later, he bade her enter.

  “Zack, it’s Councilman Wayans.”

  “I’ll take it.”

  “Don’t commit to anything.” His father leaned forward.

  Zack nodded. His pulse shot up. A certain queasiness flooded his stomach. His father’s forecast had turned into reality.

  “Hello, Councilman. What can I do for you?”

  “Zack, good to see you last night. I wished that we’d had time to talk, though. Looks like you had lots of people vying for your attention.”

  “I always have time for you, Councilman.” Zack forced himself to stay quiet. He didn’t want to play this social game any longer.

  “I want to give you a heads-up that an investigation is being conducted on the proposal process and on who won. That would be your company.”

  “Should I be concerned?” The question could have been rhetorical. His nerves were on high alert.

  “No, not at all. I’m sure all will be in order. Just means that we’ll be delayed with a final decision.”

  “When will this audit begin?”

  “Immediately.”

  “I can’t help but feel that this is directed at my company.”

  “No, not at all. We have a very active citizen watchdog group and they asked for the audit. With reelections pending, well, they were heard.”

  Zack had also met with the watchdog group. He had assuaged many of their concerns. Now he had to wonder what had stirred them up enough to request an audit.

  “Zack, believe me, this is not unusual. You’ll get the formal letter either today or tomorrow. If you have any questions, feel free to call me.”

  “Thanks, Councilman.” Zack hung up the phone slowly. He was already thinking ahead, wondering how to proceed. Despite the disagreement with Jamison, he still had to inform him of this latest development. And then there was his father.

  “Son, don’t underestimate what is happening.” He rose, his age showing in the slow movement and the way he winced. “My help is always here if you want it.”

  Zack nodded.

  “Oh, by the way, your mother expects you home for dinner. The local paper has you and Naomi as the frontcover stars.”

  Zack groaned, this time holding his head. He’d no idea that Naomi was now the target of the paper.

  “See you later.” His father waved.

  Zack looked at his watch. He had a few more calls to make before a meeting. Dinner at his mother’s was definitely a mandatory appearance.

  Naomi drove into town. She appreciated Francis lending her the car. She wanted to get out of the house and the thoughts that raised too many questions.

  After wandering through the mall, Naomi drove through the various neighborhoods. Seattle was a picturesque city with so much lush greenery, hilly streets, and the businesses and restaurants along Puget Sound and Lake Washington.

  Her solitary meandering made her miss her friends terribly. She missed the sorority life that had brought them close in college. After graduation, her sorors were able to attend the chapter meetings and go to events, but her schedule prevented her from participating.

  Instead of getting closer as they got older, they were creating their separate paths. Naomi missed those days and evenings where she could throw herself across their beds and listen to their problems and share advice. Although she’d made friends with her teammates, they didn’t replace the special bond she shared with her sorors.

  Naomi hit the ATM for some cash. Maybe she’d pop into a movie and while away the afternoon. Sitting in the darkened theater with a spattering of other viewers would add to the loneliness. She pulled out her phone. Why act as if she was on another planet? She began to text when her phone vibrated with an incoming text from Denise. When R U cmng bck

  Then from Sara. Have u fallen off the face of earth

  Then Asia. Whoz the man that has u tied up

  Naomi giggled. They obviously had planned an intervention.

  The constant incoming texts interrupted a few of the patrons sitting nearby. Their muttering complaints grew louder. Naomi didn’t care about the movie and hastily left.

  Then Athena’s message vibrated. Ur grndmom sez u have boyfriend. Last 2 no.

  Naomi waited. One of them would hook them all up on a conference call. A minute later, her phone rang. She hurried to her car where she could laugh and talk or more like scream over the equally exuberant chatter of her sorority sisters.

  “Hello, sorors.” Already, Naomi felt better.

  The chorus of greetings made her giggle and ushered in a warmth where the cold ache of missing her friends had settled. She breezed through their opening questions about her health and the Keathleys.

  “Okay, enough,” Athena interrupted her detailed description of Frannie’s garden. “Who is Zack? I want details as if you were describing the flowers and herbs and all that crap.” Athena complained that she’d have to get back to work.

  Naomi sighed. “Guess it’s my turn for the third degree.”

  “And about time, I might add.” Athena’s twin, Asia, interrupted.

  “You know the actor Idris Elba?” Naomi cut to the chase.

  “No.” Sara was usually clueless about movie stars unless she saw their photo.

  “He looks like that?” Denise’s voice grew excited.

  “Yes, and then some.” Naomi
chuckled. “Check out his Web site, you’ll see a very handsome photo.”

  “Is that why you’re still there?” Sara asked.

  “No, I’m actually recuperating.” Naomi hadn’t told them the details of the assault. She knew her sorors, and their attention would be overwhelming.

  “I think you can recuperate here in Chicago where we can spoil you even more rotten than you already are,” Sara offered.

  “Wait a minute!” Athena interrupted. “Are you relocating? You cannot copy me.”

  “I’m not relocating. I do have a career.”

  “Well, that’s low. I was laid off.” Asia argued.

  “And before I get pulled into this, I took a legitimate job. Overseas,” Athena piped up.

  “So when are you coming back home, Naomi?” Sara pushed.

  “Well…” Naomi paused. When was she coming back? After reading the newspaper, she’d been prepared to pack her suitcase. Now, talking to her sorors, she realized that she was not the type to run away. Only one thing could send her on her way, and that was Zack. Even if he said those words, she’d stubbornly do the opposite.

  “She’s not done playing with her new toy,” Denise explained, a sense of realization creeping into her voice.

  “Something like that.” Naomi’s new attitude gave her some spunk.

  “I want to be there,” Denise whined.

  “I’ll be back soon. Reality is knocking. Got to get back to work.” Asia complained.

  Athena piped up. “Okay, soror. Answer your e-mails too. And send a picture or two.”

  Naomi wished every one of them well. Funny how life turned out. They’d graduated together from university and were now scattered all over living grown-up lives with husbands, significant others and children. According to her sorors, she was the last holdout. Although Zack was in her life, and she faced the reality of being in love, she wasn’t one to rely on pure emotion to keep any man.

  However, she had something to do. She placed another call to the house before starting her borrowed car and heading for the next destination.

  By the time she pulled into the parking lot housing KBD Corporation, she wasn’t too sure about her gutsy move.

  “Naomi?”

  Naomi jumped. A sharp knock on the driver’s-side window startled her. She opened the window. “Hi, Zack.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Nice to see you, too,” she answered wryly.

  “Sorry.” He opened the door for her to exit. “You caught me by surprise.”

  “Are you heading out?”

  “I was going to lunch. I’m supposed to come over for dinner.”

  “That’s probably for my benefit. I guess you haven’t had to eat at home as much as since I arrived.” She grinned.

  “How precise you are.”

  “Are you flying solo for lunch?” She tossed out the question as if the answer didn’t matter. Yet her breath held in case it was the buxom Miss Pacific Northwest from the tabloids. “I’m here to take you to lunch.”

  Surprise registered on Zack’s face, but he was polite enough to erase it. “I’d love to go.”

  “Hop in, you can point me in the right direction.”

  Zack walked around the front of the car and got in. He slipped on his seat belt and then sat back with his hands firmly planted on his legs. “Looks like you’re in the driver’s seat.”

  “As much as possible when it comes to my life.”

  “What cuisine are you interested in eating?”

  “Doesn’t matter. Something I can pronounce, though.”

  “Okay. There’s a great seafood place about five miles up the coast.” Zack directed her to the location.

  Naomi followed the directions, noting that Zack kept busy texting. She didn’t complain; after all, she had busted into his day. He probably had lots of appointments that he had to reschedule, even though he said he was free. Although she felt bad, she didn’t feel guilty enough to change her mission.

  The drive along the coastline served to calm her nerves a bit. Expensive real estate lined the shore with the occasional restaurant. The view of the parking lot with the expensive cars was a sign that the establishments catered to the higher income.

  Dressed in jeanslike leggings and a minidress, she figured that she could enter any restaurant without problems. Luckily, Zack wore a suit.

  “At the next intersection, turn left.”

  “Left?” Naomi looked in the direction but clearly didn’t see any restaurants.

  “Yes.”

  Naomi noted the small smile that lifted the corner of Zack’s mouth. What was he up to? But she was game. She turned left and headed down the street.

  Doubts didn’t cease. As a matter of fact, she slowed at the sight of the marina that housed a large array of yachts and boats.

  “Park over there.” Zack pointed off to the right.

  Naomi didn’t bother to question it, since she was curious. She parked and turned off the engine.

  “I’d say that now you must switch drivers. It’s my turn to do the driving.”

  “Really?” She got out the car and followed him down the pier to a midsize yacht. “I thought that we were going to a seafood restaurant.”

  “Actually, I only promised that you’d have seafood for lunch. As for the place, step on board.” Zack moved aside for her to walk up the plank.

  A uniformed attendant met her at the opening. “Welcome, Miss Venable.”

  “Hi.” Naomi looked at Zack for an explanation.

  “Thanks, Gus. Miss Venable and I will start with a light appetizer.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Okay, who was that? Is this yours? How did you know that I would come here? How did you do all this?” Naomi walked ahead of Zack. The spread of white tablecloth with fresh flowers and wineglasses pulled her attention. She turned to shoot more questions, but the sound of the yacht’s engines firing up distracted her.

  She hurried to the rail and looked down at the water churning furiously. The land retreated at a fast rate as they headed out toward deeper waters.

  She shook her head, wondering if she could ever stay one step ahead of him. Zack continually amazed her.

  Chapter Nine

  “You look petrified.” Zack slipped his hand around her shoulders. “Here’s a glass of wine.”

  “Only one. I do have to take you back to your office.”

  “Yes, you do. And I do have a troubling matter to deal with.”

  “Care to share?”

  “Just business.”

  “See, that’s what brought me to your office in the first place.” Naomi set down her glass. Some wine splashed over the rim.

  “What do you mean?”

  She sighed. A sound that held sadness and disappointment. Zack knew he was the source. The witty banter died.

  “Talk to me, Naomi. What’s bothering you?”

  “It’s more like what’s not bothering you.” She looked him square in the eye. “We met, became friends, got intimate, but then you won’t share details about your business, your company. It’s an important part of your life.”

  “I tend not to share details about my company.”

  “Yeah, you’ve made that clear.”

  “Excuse me, Mr. Keathley, your appetizer.” Gus, the waiter, set down two small bowls of soup.

  Zack waited for Naomi to test hers with a dainty sip from the spoon. Despite her irritation with him, he couldn’t resist the smile after she tasted the bisque.

  “I’ll eat. You talk.” She pointed at him with the spoon.

  Nothing about his life was top secret. But he also never shared too many intimate details with any of his female friends. Deep down he knew they wouldn’t last beyond a date or two. No need to pretend that a lasting relationship existed.

  Things had changed, tossed on their ear, when he walked into the hospital room that day. Naomi, injured and medicated, had wrapped him around her little finger.

  “I’m almost done.
” She looked down at her bowl.

  Zack looked longingly at his bowl but knew better than to reach for it. Maybe it was the way she waved the spoon, as if it could suddenly turn into a weapon.

  “I always had the dream to step out on my own. Have my own business. Move out of my father’s shadow.” He paused. “As I tell you my history, it sounds so much like my father’s.” Zack shook his head. His reality was a bit ironic. “The Keathleys are in the land-development business. I was so determined not to be shoehorned into the family empire that I did everything in my power to push aside my father. Starting the business with this partner was one way to untangle any ties.”

  “Sounds like you had good intentions.”

  “Naive ones.” He sighed. “There is so much politicking behind the scenes, blatant greed mentality and just bad luck that I wonder if I should throw in the towel. Problem is that I love what I do. Now I’ve got the city council out of the blue pushing for all kinds of documentation and wanting to audit. Then one project may not go through because the anchor business wants to flex its muscle. On another project, my partner wants to renege on the conditions. Plus he wanted to increase his partnership share. Not going to happen.” He growled.

  In an abbreviated manner, he shared the basic information about his company and partners. Then he moved onto the steady deterioration of the biggest project in his portfolio with the impending audit by the city council.

  “Here.” Naomi offered him his bowl.

  He waited for her response, but she only nudged her chin at him. Taking the hint, he started drinking his soup.

  “Why was that such a big deal?”

  “It’s my company. My problems.”

  “In other words, you’re a control freak,” she proclaimed. “A blind optimist and a dreamer.” She leaned over and kissed him on his cheek. “I like these qualities in a man.”

  He turned to take full advantage of her mouth. Spilling the soup didn’t matter.