Making it Personal (15 page)

Will guffawed, but then straightened his face and made a cross over his heart. “I’ll be a good boy. Promise.” He pressed his lips together in what he obviously hoped was an innocent expression.
Yeah, right
…..

Blake hugged Dave tightly and then took hold of Will’s hand.

 

“Let’s go home.”

 

He had an appointment with a bed, his lover
—
and if he was really lucky, Will’s leather wrist shackles.
Chapter Twelve

“I really like this idea,” Will confided in Rick as he glanced around the conference room. Christmas songs were playing in the background, and the table was loaded down with brightly wrapped gifts, plates of party food and bottles of wine and soft drinks. Once the meeting had taken place that morning, Rick and Lizzie had shooed everyone out of the room to set up the party. Not that any actual
work
got done by anyone. Lots of coffee drinking in the kitchen and standing around chatting, yes. It was Christmas Eve, after all. The only puzzling part had been Karen’s non-appearance. She hadn’t rung in sick, but as yet there was no sign of her.

“Yeah, the boss has done this every Christmas Eve since he took over.” Rick’s face fell. “Took over. Yeah,
right
.”
“What’s the deal there?” Will asked. It was something he’d been meaning to broach with Blake, but it was clearly a sore point. “Does Blake own the company or Justin?”

Rick sighed. “When the old man had his heart attack, Blake stepped in at his request. Justin said at the time that he was giving Blake the company, and that Blake was to run it as he saw fit. So out with the old, in with the new.”

“So it
is
Blake’s company.”

Rick snorted. “Except Justin hasn’t let go. No public announcement of Blake’s takeover of command, no acknowledgment of Blake’s achievements. Hell, Justin is still taking the credit for all Blake’s success. That must
really
piss off the boss, especially when Justin wanders in and keeps sticking his oar in all the time.” He puffed out his breath.

“Is the company legally Blake’s?”

Rick met his gaze. “Good question. I don’t know, is the answer to that one.” He glanced at his watch. “Hey, it’s almost twelve. Why don’t you go grab the boss and drag him out of that office so he can come play with the rest of us kiddies?” He grinned and then his expression grew more sober. “I’ll try ringing Karen again. This isn’t like her.”

“Good idea.” Will thought Rick was a really sweet guy. He clearly cared a lot for his workmates. Will left him and went along to Blake’s office. Blake was perched on the arm of the sofa, staring down into the street far below. There was a faraway look in his eyes that Will recognized immediately. He’d seen a lot of that look in the past week.

He pushed the door shut and then walked over to Blake and laid a hand on his shoulder. “The troops are ready for inspection, Sir,” he said with a wink.

Blake turned slowly toward him, his face upturned. “Kiss me.”

Will was momentarily taken aback. He hadn’t expected such an opening, but hey, he would never turn down a request like that. He lowered his head and brought his lips to meet Blake’s, the kiss tender and lingering. Blake closed his e vt thispanyes, sighing, the sound lost as Will deepened the kiss.

When he broke away to gaze down at Blake there was something in Blake’s expression that caused Will’s heart to give a jolt. “What’s wrong, babe?”

Blake opened his mouth to speak, but then a sudden commotion coming from the conference room halted him in his tracks. He frowned. “What’s going on out there?” Will tilted his head, listening. Something was obviously wrong. Blake got to his feet and walked purposefully to the door, Will close behind him. When they entered the conference room, both men gasped. Karen was standing by the table with a couple of uniformed police officers. A female police officer held Karen’s arm, clearly trying to calm her. The team was standing around, everyone wearing similar expressions of shock and concern. What drew Will’s gasp, however, was Karen’s face. Her left eye was blackened and puffy, her cheekbones bruised and swollen and there was a nasty looking cut to her top lip.

“My God, Karen, what happened to you?” Blake approached her, his face contorted in distress. Karen ignored him and turned toward Will, her face suddenly a mask of panicked fear. She pointed a trembling finger at him.

“That’s him. That’s the one.” The police officers turned toward Will. The male officer pulled out his notepad and more worryingly, a pair of handcuffs.
What the fuck
?

“What’s going on here, officer?” Blake took charge, his voice cool and calm. “I’m Blake Davis, the CEO of Trinity Publishing.”

The officer acknowledged Blake with a polite nod. “Ms Candido here has reported that she was assaulted last night. She called the station to report this about an hour ago, and asked us to meet her here. Ms Candido claims that the assault was carried out by your PA, Will Parkinson.” His eyes alighted on Will. “That would be you, sir?”
Will stared in absolute horror, his mouth open. No words came out. Cold spread throughout his body at the thought that Karen could do something so vile. Then sanity was restored. It didn’t matter what she said, there would be no physical evidence. Whoever had bashed her face would have to have some telltale signs, such as bruised knuckles. It still didn’t detract from the fact that she was accusing him, in front of everyone. He stiffened as the officer approached him.

“Will Parkinson, you are under arrest for the assault of—”

 

“What the hell is going on in here?”

Justin Davis stood in the doorway, his face flushed. Will stifled a groan. Talk about bad timing. A swift glance at Blake sent his heart sinking. Blake had paled.

“It’s okay, Dad, I’m dealing with this.” Blake turned to the male officer. “I think there’s a mistake here, officer.” He rubbed at the back of his neck, blinking rapidly.

Will held up his hand to silence him. “Blake, it’s okay. You just get on with the party. I’ll go down to the station and we can clear this mess up there.” Will met Blake’s gaze. “I’ll be all right.” Blake’s mouth twisted into a grimace. Will turned to the male officer. “Let’s get on with it, shall we?” The officer nodded, opening his mouth to continue with his warning.

“He’s innocent. You’re making a grave mistake.”

Blake’s outburst rang out loudly in the quietened room. Will stared fixedly at him. “Leave it, Blake.” He tried to convey with his eyes that it really was okay.

Blake addressed himself to the officer. “Will didn’t do this. He couldn’t have.” Blake’s eyes flicked briefly to Will. “He was with me all last night.”
Oh my God
…. Will’s heart almost skipped a beat. He could hear the sharp intake of breath from several people around the room.
Justin blanched. “What are you saying, Blake?” He was staring very hard at Blake.

Blake ignored his father and reached into his pocket. “I don’t expect you to take my word for it,” he said to the officer. “There’s a photo on this flash drive that was taken last night, and I’m sure it will be time stamped. You’ll see both of us on it. I will also give you the contact details for the friend who took the photos. And finally, you can contact the night doorman of my apartment building, who’ll confirm that Will arrived with me last night, not long after the photo was taken, and that he didn’t leave until seven this morning when he left with me to come here. So there is no way that Will was anywhere near Karen last night.” Blake finally turned to face Will, his eyes shining. “He was with me.” The repeated words were uttered quietly.

Will stared at him in stunned silence, overwhelmed by the magnitude of what Blake had just done—for him. “Why, Blake?”

Blake walked toward him and took his hand. He looked into Will’s eyes, his expression calm. “Because I love you.”

The gasps which followed his words were louder this time. Will’s jaw dropped.
Blake loves me
. Not only that—Blake had just declared his love in front of an audience which included his father. Warmth radiated throughout his entire body, and he was conscious of his heart pounding strongly. A grin spread across his face. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from Blake’s beautiful face, where a similar grin matched his own. “You love me.”

Blake’s eyes danced with joy. “Yes.” That one word sent Will’s heart soaring even higher. Then a faint crease appeared between Blake’s eyes. He swallowed. “Do you love me?”

Will wanted to take him in his arms there and then and kiss away the doubt that was clearly etched across his face. “Oh God, yes.” He locked eyes with Blake. “I love you, too.”

Blake opened his mouth to speak, but whatever words he’d been about to utter were lost in a loud wail from Karen. She collapsed into the arms of the WPC, sobbing wholeheartedly. Despite his revulsion at what she’d attempted to do, Will crossed the room to stand in front of her, his mind still whirling at Blake’s declaration.

“Why, Karen? Why would you do this? And more importantly, who did this to you?” Karen wouldn’t meet his gaze. “Come on, Karen, tell us.” She shook her head stubbornly.

“I think, sir, that those are questions which should best be asked down at the police station,” the male officer stated in an undertone. “There’s a little pressing matter of wasting police time to be addressed, for a start.” He gave a nod to his partner, who started to guide Karen out of the office. “My apologies, Mr. Parkinson.” Will bobbed his head briefly. They escorted the weeping Karen from the building. Will hoped they got to the bottom of it. Because
someone
had certainly taken out their rage on Karen’s face.
“Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”

Will saw Blake’s jaw tighten as Justin marched up to his son, his face still pale. Blake drew himself up to his full height and faced him.

“Actually, Dad, my private life has nothing to do with you.”

 

Justin’s eyes blazed. “It is when it affects my company. I—”

“And there we have it.
Your
company.” Blake scowled. ” Blakwled. “Whatever happened to ‘it’s your company, son’? ‘Put your stamp on it.’ Does any of this ring a bell?” Justin’s gaze lowered and Blake jutted out his chin. “Well, I did all that, Dad, and more. So please, tell me how me being gay is going to affect the company for one second.”

There was a long silence as the two men faced each other. Will was aware of the whole team watching the spectacle. He walked to Blake’s side and slipped his hand around Blake’s. Blake gave him a quick grateful glance. Justin said nothing, his throat working as he swallowed. Will held his breath, waiting for Justin’s reaction. When it became clear he wasn’t about to say anything, Blake’s hand tightened around his.

“You know what? I’ve had it.” Blake snapped out the words. “If you’re not prepared to acknowledge everything I’ve done during the last six years, then I’m out of here. You can
keep
your precious company.” Will gaped.

“You’re not serious.” Justin’s eyes goggled. “Watch me.” Blake stared resolutely at him. Justin’s jaw dropped. “But…but what will you do?”

Blake barked out a laugh. “That’s easy. I’ll start up my own publishing company.”

“And where the boss goes, we go.” Ed came to stand beside Blake, flinging his arm around his shoulder. “Right, guys?” There were murmurs as Blake’s team moved as one to stand behind him, all eyes on Justin. Will was so proud of them for this show of solidarity. He glanced at his lover and was dismayed to see him tremble.

“Is that what you really want, Dad?” Blake’s voice softened. “Are you prepared to lose everything this company has gained, just because you’re ashamed to have a gay son?”

Justin’s eyes widened in alarm. “Wait… you think I’m ashamed of you?”

 

“Well, what else am I supposed to think?” The misery in Blake’s expression tore at Will’s heart.

Justin shook his head. “Forgive me, Blake. For my generation, being gay was something you didn’t shout about. I know it’s all different these days, but I guess I’m still stuck in the past. I’ll be honest, my first reaction was to wonder how the company would be perceived if it became known that its owner was gay.”

Blake snorted. “No one will bat an eye, I promise you.” He became still. “You… you don’t mind that I’m gay?” Will saw the hopeful light in Blake’s eyes and held his breath, praying for Justin’s reaction.

“Of course I don’t mind.” Justin fixed his gaze on his son. “All right, so it’s something I didn’t expect, but it doesn’t change how I feel about you.” He tilted his head. “Why would you think you being gay would bother me?”

Blake’s mouth fell open. “But… but what about Uncle Dominic?”

 

Justin frowned. “I don’t understand. What does your uncle have to do with any of this?”

Blake stared in amazement. “I remember how you were whenever he came round to see me. You couldn’t stand to be in the same room as him.”

Justin burst into laughter. “Oh, Blake.” He shook his head, smiling sadly. “I couldn’t stand to be near him, you’re right, not because he was gay, but because he was an obnoxious son of a bitch!”
Blake’s expression was incredulous. “What?”

Justin scowled. “That bastard was always asking for money. He drank like a fish and was forever running up bad debts. He owed money to nearly every betting shop in London at one point.” He stared with w i {tare drank de eyes to see Blake’s face. “You really thought I didn’t like gays?” When Blake nodded numbly, Justin’s face fell. “That tells me how much we’ve grown apart—and that saddens me immensely.”

Blake blinked. “But… what about your reaction to Trinity publishing gay fiction? I thought you were against it?”

Justin sighed. “No, that wasn’t it. I was just nervous that it wouldn’t pay off. And then we’re back to the whole ‘older generation’ bit again.” He locked eyes with his son. “You were right, of course. The genre is growing ever more popular. It was the right decision —only one is a long line of good decisions, I have to say.” He moved closer to Blake and Ed stepped back, allowing him access. Justin grasped Blake’s shoulder firmly. “I’m proud of you, son.”

The look of joy in Blake’s eyes was almost too much to bear. Will fought hard to hold back tears. “Dad?”