One More Time

“Hey, I thought I missed you, Casey,” he said as he strolled down the hallway toward us. “I was just going to head out for something to eat. Care to join me?”

Terrance stood behind Malcolm, and he shook his head. His eyes were telling me not to go. My heart, on the other hand, wanted to spend more time with Malcolm. But then again, my heart didn't always make the best choices. Better not get too attached to him.

“Uhh, no thank you, Malcolm. I've already got plans,” I said.

Terrance gave me a thumbs up from behind Malcolm's back. Malcolm turned to look at the lawyer, but he'd already put his hands down by then. Houston just stood there looking as innocent as a lamb.

I hated him. I really, really hated him.

“I was just checking on Miss Melville,” he said. “I wanted to make sure I wasn't too hard on her back there.”

Malcolm glanced back at me, and I feigned a smile. “And I told him it's fine. I understand it's just business.”

I turned on my heel and walked toward the elevator, quickening my pace to keep the distance between us. My heart was racing, my stomach in knots.

Whatever I did, I didn't want to get attached to Malcolm. That wouldn't end well for either of us. In fact, it would be a downright disaster.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

MALCOLM

Terrance kept me cornered, and I watched Casey head down the hallway. It was like he was purposely trying to keep me from her or something.

“Excuse me, Terrance,” I said, pushing past him. “I'll be right back.”

I hurried after her, and as I rounded the corner, I heard the elevator doors chime as they shut. I tried to push the button to get them to open, but it was too late. I waited for the other elevator, but it was coming all the way up from the first floor. I knew by the time it got there, Casey would be gone.

I wasn't sure why I felt the urge to chase after her in the first place. Maybe it was the look of fear and sadness in her eyes. I didn't know what it was, but something bothered me. Terrance rounded the corner before the other elevator arrived.

He stood stiffly beside me as we waited.

“Why did you have to be so harsh to her? She's doing me a huge favor,” I said.

“She needs to know where she stands, Malcolm,” he explained. “My first obligation is to the Crane family, the entire Crane family – not just you. It's bad enough that you're having a child with someone of mixed race, but –”

“Wait, what did you say?”

I turned toward him, not sure if I'd heard him correctly. Hoping I hadn't. He sighed, staring straight ahead as he spoke.

“Malcolm, I know desperate times call for desperate measures and all,” he said, “but I'm with your father on this. Danielle would still be the ideal candidate. She has good genes, comes from money herself –”

“And she's a gold-digging bitch who fucks other men and who's only after me for my money? But who cares about that, right?” I scoffed. “Why did you mention Casey as being mixed race? What does that have to do with anything?”

“Because she's half Hispanic,” he said as if it were something to be ashamed of. “On her mother's side.”

“How would you know this?” I asked. “And why does it matter?”

The elevator doors finally opened for us, and we stepped inside. Terrance tried to use it as an excuse to avoid my question, but I pressed the issue.

“Terrance, I asked you a question.”

“I looked into her background a bit, Malcolm,” he said. “I was curious about the woman you'd chosen as your surrogate. It’s my job to make sure your are protected. I figured your family ought to know.”

“Don't bring my family into this,” I said. “It's my personal affair, and I expect you to keep this quiet until I'm ready to tell them. Is that clear?”

He didn't respond.

“Terrance, I'm the one paying you right now, and when my father dies, I will be the one taking over Crane Enterprises. Trust me when I say that you do not want to be on my bad side. Not if you still want to remain on retainer, that is.”