Beyond Love Lies Deceit (3 page)

****

I
shoot up in bed, my breath coming in quick pants as I try to shake off the dream, or rather the memory. Pulling my knees to my chest, I rest my head against them. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was six years old and had been begging Mom and Dad to let me ride my bike without training wheels.

Being an impatient child, I couldn’t wait for that weekend when they would have time to teach me. So after talking about it all morning, Sean finally agreed that he would teach me that day after school. He really was an incredible big brother.

We had our differences of course, what siblings don’t? But those differences never defined us. Sean didn’t just teach me how to ride a bike. Among many other things, he also taught me about something that after he died became an outlet for me; art.

Sean loved to paint. I remember sitting in the doorway of his bedroom watching him glide his brush against the canvas. He would work on one piece for hours and of course, wanting to be just like him, I had to learn how to paint too. Little did I know then, painting would be one of the only things to hold me together when everything else was falling apart around me.

Glancing at the half painted canvas in the corner of the room, a calm settles over me as I take in the colorful brush strokes and wild patterns that seem to depict the very way I feel most days; lost and without meaning.

It’s been so long since I have dreamt of Sean. After having nightmares for months after I found my mom...

I stop mid-thought and immediately try to push it away.

I can’t let myself go there. Not today. It must be the timing; the circumstances surrounding my life right now that is forcing the memories to come flooding back into my subconscious.

Shaking my head, I try to refocus. Today is my first day at Sco-Tech; the day I finally set my plan into motion. Throwing back my thick comforter, I look around my studio apartment. The tiny space consists of nothing more than a small kitchen, an even smaller living space, and a makeshift bedroom that all exist inside the same four walls. The only additional room is a bathroom so little that it is barely big enough to move in once you close the door. It isn’t much and the part of town that I am in is less than desirable, but it was the only thing I could afford with the small amount of money I brought with me after my dad’s life insurance had been processed.

It wasn’t much but it was enough to get me from Boise to Los Angeles and to lease this apartment for six months. Standing, I cross the square space to my kitchen, which takes up the entire back wall of the room, before grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator. The walls inside the apartment are bare. The entire space is void of anything that would make it personal, containing only the items that are necessary for my survival.

My stomach twists as the reality of today washes over me. I don’t know if I am more nervous or excited about my first day as Luke Scott’s Assistant. I certainly did not expect the salary agreement I was offered upon hire. I will be making more than enough money to see me through until my plan is complete. Given what the position pays, I just hope I can do the job without raising too many red flags with my level of experience. Truth is I don’t know the first thing about being someone’s assistant.

I’ve done my fair share of research and am fairly confident I can fake my way through it, but like most things, there is an air of doubt that surrounds me and every single decision I have made since moving to Los Angeles three months ago.

****

“H
ow is your first day going?” I hear Luke’s voice causing me to immediately look up.

He’s standing casually in the doorway of my small office that sits directly next to his, his hands tucked inside the pockets of his gray suit pants.

“It’s going really well.” I answer, giving him a polite smile.

“Did Katherine get you everything you need?” He asks, referring to his current assistant who is responsible for teaching me the ropes over the next week before she moves into her new position working directly for Nicholas Scott.

“Yes. I am just working on logging all of your meetings into the online calendar she set up for me. I should have it finished later this afternoon and be able to sync it directly with you later today.”

“No rush.” He pushes away from the doorframe and crosses the twelve by ten square foot office space, sliding into one of the two chairs that sit adjacent to my desk.

“I was hoping you could spare a few minutes to have lunch with me.” He says, leaning back into the chair, crossing his arms in front of himself. “Think of it as a welcome to the company.”

“Well, I... I have a lot of stuff to work on, first day and all.” I immediately start to make excuses.

I wasn’t prepared for the offer and finding a valid excuse when put on the spot proves to be rather difficult.

“Nonsense.” He swipes his hand through the air. “Besides, I know the boss. I think he can spare you for an hour.” He smiles, eliminating any ability I have to deny his request.

“Grab your purse, we can walk down together.” He stands, hovering just feet from my desk until I have gathered my things.

Running my hands along my black slacks, I try to smooth out the material before following him out of the office. I can’t stop my eyes from immediately landing on Luke’s broad shoulders, completely fixated on how they move with each step he takes in front of me. There is something so powerful about the way he walks, so commanding. Honestly, I can’t say that I have ever encountered a man quite like Luke before. Then again, my experience with men is somewhat limited.

Over the years it has become more and more difficult for me to form any type of real connection to another person Not that I haven’t tried. I even dated a couple of times in high school but nothing ever felt right and I found myself ending things before they ever really took off.  The handful of men I have slept with were all just my pathetic attempt to make myself feel something, anything, but even that didn’t take.

“Do you like Chinese?” Luke interrupts my thoughts, stopping to allow me to exit through the revolving door of the lobby first before following me out into the sunny March air.

“I do.” I answer, sliding on my black pea coat jacket as a cool breeze whips around us.

“There’s this incredible little place just a couple of blocks from here. It’s one of Los Angeles best kept secrets.” He grins, keeping a slow pace as too not make me struggle to keep up with him as he leads me down the sidewalk.

“Well you found it so how well kept could it be?” I respond, hoping my playfulness is not misconstrued as unprofessional. I am in such unfamiliar territory right now.

“Touché Miss Reynolds.” He smiles playfully, his eyes giving off an almost twinkle in the sunlight as he looks down at me.

I can’t deny that my heart picks up speed or that an explosion of butterflies erupts in the pit of my stomach with that one look but I do my best to seem as unaffected as possible. He clearly has a knack with women and I refuse to allow myself to be pulled in by someone like a Scott. I know too much about his family to look at him as anything other than the monster I’m sure he is behind the mask.

It takes us less than five minutes to reach the small restaurant tucked in between a flower shop and clothing boutique along a busy shop-filled street. Holding the door open, Luke waits until I enter before stepping in behind me.

“This way.” He says, his hand falling to the small of my back as he leads me through the restaurant and into a small private room in the back that is blocked off by a swinging door.

I step inside, unsure as to why we would be eating back here and not out front with the other patrons, but my thoughts quickly turn the moment the small room comes into view and I spot the other occupants of the space. Sitting at a private table in the middle of the room just feet from where I am standing is none other than Ryan and Nicholas Scott.

My heart immediately kicks into overdrive, the sound of my own pulse so intense, I swear I can hear each and every beat. My breath comes in short spurts and my entire body seems to lock up. Before I can react, Nicholas has stood from the table and is crossing the space towards me.

Stocky and standing just around five ten, Nicholas Scott is not a huge man but like his youngest son, there is something so commanding about the way he walks. He carries himself with such confidence. His dark blonde hair is kept short and is peppered with streaks of silver around his temples.

It’s clear to see the similarities between him and his sons but as I look between him and Ryan, who steps up next to his father, I can see the greatest resemblance is between the two of them. Luke has dark hair and is taller than the other two, and while Ryan clearly works out, Luke is a bit more built than his older brother as well.

“Miss Reynolds. It’s so nice to meet you.” Nicholas says, taking my hand and shaking it firmly the moment he reaches me. “I’m Nicholas Scott, founder and CEO of Sco-Tech.” He says, clearly having no idea that I already know exactly who he is.

“It’s very nice to meet you.” I manage to get out, my voice sounding more like a stranger than the one I am accustomed to hearing.

Everything feels skewed and off kilter. And as I look to Ryan whose eyes immediately meet mine, it takes everything I have to maintain my composure. I have waited for this moment for years, obsessed over it actually, and now that it’s actually here I find myself unable to react fully.

“Miss Reynolds, this is my eldest son Ryan and the person training to become CEO of Sco-Tech.” Nicholas gestures to the son standing next to him.

“Ryan, it’s a pleasure.” I say, feeling the cold seethe through my veins as our hands embrace on a shake.

Oddly I find that the hatred I feel for this man fuels the barrier I need to maintain and a calm settles over me.

“And you Miss Reynolds.” He gives me a flirty smile and I return it with one of my own. Two can play this game.

“Shall we sit?” Luke speaks, reminding me of his presence.

“Let’s.” Nicholas answers, gesturing to the square four person table the two men were occupying prior to our arrival.

Following Ryan, I wait until he pulls out a chair and gestures for me to sit before taking my seat. Of course, he wastes no time settling in next to me and as Luke takes the seat across from his brother, it’s not hard to pick up on his annoyance.

So Luke has a problem with how Ryan is with women? Something I am sure I can use to my advantage. Being here with the entire Scott family, having them so close to me, solidifies my place in the here and now. I am more determined than ever to see my plan through.

“So Miss Reynolds, Luke tells me you graduated from Stanford. I’m a Stanford man myself.” Nicholas boasts, nodding to the young Chinese woman as she sets four waters on the table.

“I know. I have done a lot of research on Sco-Tech and its founder.” I give him a nod and a smile.

“Well, you can’t believe everything you hear.” He laughs, pinning his brown eyes directly on mine.

“All good things.” I falsely reassure him.

“Well in that case, believe away.” He gives me another wide smile.

“Enough about him, tell us about you.” Ryan pulls my attention to where he is sitting directly next to me.

“Not much to tell.” I answer lightly.

“Now why do I not believe that?” He gives me a crooked smile.

I immediately notice that like his father, Ryan also has brown eyes. I can’t help but wonder where Luke gets those brilliant blue ones that look like they could cut through darkness. And while Ryan is almost as good looking in person as Luke, there is something about Luke that just sets him apart from the other Scott men.

I open my mouth to respond but then immediately close it when the waitress reappears to take our orders. Realizing I haven’t even glanced at the menu, I quickly look over it making sure that by the time she reaches me, I know exactly what I want.

“So Miss Reynolds.” Nicholas picks up as soon as the waitress walks away.

“Please, call me Allie.” I insist.

“Allie.” He smiles, nodding before continuing. “How is your first day at Sco-Tech going? Are you learning a lot?” He asks.

“Very much, thank you.” Though I purposely do not tell him that what I am really interested in learning has nothing to do with the company but with his family, specifically his oldest son.

While I was not thrilled to find myself in a room with all three Scott men with absolutely no warning, I am now realizing that this is an opportunity I did not expect to have. My goal is to get close to Ryan and this is the perfect setting for me to set that plan in motion.

Turning my head to the side, I throw Ryan another flirty smile when I catch him looking directly at me. Not enough to show I’m interested but just enough to make him think that maybe I am. Enough that he will chase me just to prove to himself, and maybe even to his brother, that he can conquer me.

If there is anything I have learned about this man through my research it’s that he has one fatal weakness; women. I intend to exploit that weakness and use it to unravel his perfect little life...

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L
uke

There’s something about this girl, something I can’t quite put my finger on. On the outside she seems so fragile; beautiful and frail. Despite her big chocolate eyes and the way she twirls her hair around her finger so innocently when she’s clearly nervous, there is strength to her, a power I can sense but can’t seem to justify.

One thing is for sure, she sure knows how to handle my brother. I don’t know if I should be disgusted or impressed by this fact. He has spent the entire lunch relentlessly trying to impress her and while her sweet smiles have not been in short supply, I can tell it’s all an act.

A woman that is
not
interested in my brother?

I didn’t know one of those existed, and yet she seems completely unphased by his attempts to charm her. Though I am not entirely sure he sees it, I can. I’ve watched too many woman fall at his feet not to miss one who is completely unaffected. And as Ryan turns the conversation once again in an attempt to keep her interested, I find it difficult to stifle the smile that slowly spreads across my face.