LITMIR.BIZ

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me handle her,” Lucius said. He was eager to reconnect with his high school classmate and see how the once nerdy kid he remembered had turned the tables and become a successful entrepreneur. He’d also seen a picture of her recently, and she’d blossomed into a fine-looking woman. A woman he wouldn’t mind getting to know better.

      * * *

      “You should be aware that Lucius Knight has been silently buying up Brooks and Johnson’s stock since the IPO,” Bill Andrews, Naomi’s vice president, told her the next morning after they went over some company business.

      Naomi was leaving for Anaheim later that afternoon because she wanted to get a jump on traffic leaving Long Beach. She would check in to the hotel, pick up her registration packet and get settled before the trade show and conference started tomorrow. But first, she’d come into the office to take care of a few items. She hadn’t expected Bill to tell her that corporate raider Lucius Knight, her former high school crush, was interested in her company.

      “Since when?” Naomi asked, staring up from her MacBook.

      “A couple of months ago,” Bill responded. “At first I dismissed it, but then Knight International recently picked up another 5 percent, making his total stake in the company 30 percent.”

      Naomi closed her MacBook. “That’s not good.”

      “No, it isn’t,” Bill said. “Every time Lucius Knight sets his sights on a company, he either dismantles them or they wind up as part of his portfolio.”

      “But why would he be interested in us?” Naomi asked. “We’re a far cry from his other holdings.” She too had done her research on the man. Ever since college, she’d kept her eye on her former crush—Knight International had a mix of industries in its portfolio, but they were mainly centered on technology.

      Bill shrugged. “He could be looking to diversify. And given the success of Brooks and Johnson, he could get in on the ground floor. I received a call from his attorney Adam Powell—he’d like a meeting with you.”

      “A meeting?” Naomi hated that her voice hitched and the question came out more like a squeak.

      “How would you like to handle it?”

      “Ignore it,” Naomi responded. “I’m not interested in talking to Lucius about my company or anything else.”

      Bill stared at her.

      “What?” she snapped. She knew Lucius was a large shareholder, but she didn’t care. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

      “Because I haven’t seen you this passionate before unless perhaps we’re talking about a new product or launch.”

      “Well...well, I just don’t like the thought of Knight thinking he can railroad me or my company. I’m no one’s pushover.”

      “Never thought you were, Naomi,” Bill replied. “What you and Kelsey were able to accomplish is phenomenal.”

      Naomi’s burst of anger fizzled, and she smiled back at Bill. “I’m sorry if I was a little abrupt,” she said. “I just get angry at the thought of someone trying to take something I worked so hard to build.”

      “We won’t let that happen, Naomi. But he’s a major shareholder now.”

      “I’m aware, Bill.” She began packing her computer and some work files into her leather briefcase. When she was done, she snapped it shut and reached for her purse inside a drawer. “However, I trust that you’ll keep the hounds at bay at least while I’m at the conference. When I get back, we’ll address this.” She started toward the door.

      “Absolutely, boss.”

      “I’ll see you when I get back.” Seconds later she was headed toward the elevator lobby.

      She stabbed at the down button as she waited for the elevator.

      Lucius Knight wanted her company? Her baby? Hell, no. There was no way she was going to let the man—no matter how good-looking—weasel his way in and take over everything she’d built. She would show him and every other local who’d discounted her in high school and thought she was less than just how strong she’d truly become.

       Chapter 2

      “Grandma.” Lucius softened his tone when he heard his grandmother’s voice on the other end of his iPhone. “It’s so good to hear from you.”

      “I hope that remains the case when you hear what I have to say,” she replied.

      “I could never be angry with you, Grandma.” He loved the older woman with all his heart. She’d been the only mother he’d ever known and the only person who loved him unconditionally, except maybe Adam. “What’s going on?”

      “I spoke with your mother today.”

      “And?”

      “Don’t act dense, Lucius. It doesn’t suit you,” she responded. “She said you haven’t returned her calls.”

      “I know.”

      “Well, when do you intend to?”

      Lucius snorted. He hated the reproachful tone in her voice. He counted from one to three to remind himself to remain respectful. Grandma Ruby deserved it. She hadn’t had to take him in when he was a young boy. She’d raised all her children. Three, to be exact—his mother, Jocelyn, his aunt, Deborah, and his uncle, Troy. But she had taken him in. And she’d been in his corner ever since.

      He finally responded. “Soon.”

      “I wish you two would try to get along,” his grandmother said. “It takes so much energy to hold on to all the bad blood.”

      “Have you told her this?” Lucius asked. “The only thing I’ve ever asked of that woman is tell me who my father is. And to this day, even though I’m thirty-four, nearly thirty-five years old, she refuses to tell me.”

      “Perhaps some things are best left unsaid.”

      Lucius was silent. He’d always wondered if his grandmother knew the truth, but she’d point-blank told him that if she did, she would tell him.

      When he continued to remain silent, his grandmother said, “I have to go. I’m heading to the grocery store, but do go and see your mother, Lucius. You might regret one day that you never resolved things between you. Promise me you will.”

      He was being guilt-tripped and he didn’t like it. “All right, Grandma. For you, I’ll make the effort. Satisfied?”

      “Immensely. Love you, Lucius.”

      “Love you, too, Grandma.” Lucius ended the call and sat back against the plush cushions of the limousine. He knew she meant well, but her meddling in his and Jocelyn’s relationship wouldn’t help the situation. He would never see eye to eye with his mother until she was honest with him about who he was.

      Until then, they’d always be at an impasse.

      * * *

      Naomi was excited as she checked in to the Anaheim Hilton. A valet immediately greeted her when she disembarked from her car and took care of her baggage while she checked in to the hotel.

      She glanced around and took in the modern decor done in beiges and dark wood. It was classic yet modern. It would serve as a good backdrop for the natural products expo where she hoped to get Brooks and Johnson even more into the public consciousness. She wanted people to start using their products, which were now inclusive of not only personal care products, but home cleaning products and a new baby line as well.

      The baby line was Kelsey’s brainchild. It was still in its early stages but included baby washes and baby powders. They would soon expand to include diapers, rash cream and wipes. Naomi was just as passionate about having organic products

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