Читать книгу Taming Her Billionaire - Yahrah St. John - Страница 11

Chapter 2

“You own Art Gallery Twenty-One?” Kaitlynn Armstrong, Tahlia’s sister, stared back openmouthed as they sat at Tahlia’s breakfast bar the next morning. Tahlia had stopped by Kaitlynn’s apartment to tell her about the dinner at the Knights’ estate and to share her amazing news and good fortune.

“Sure do,” Tahlia replied with a self-satisfied smile. “Arthur Knight transferred the title to me. So now that witch Bailey will be coming to me for approval.”

Tahlia was referring to her boss, Bailey Smith, who was into traditional art. Tahlia had been trying unsuccessfully to get her to branch out to show unconventional pieces. It was only when Arthur had liked a piece from an up-and-coming artist that Bailey had relented for a small showing. It was at that opening that Tahlia had first laid eyes on Maximus Knight.

She’d been setting out canapés when he’d walked into Art Gallery Twenty-One just as confident as he pleased in a designer suit, skinny tie and expensive loafers. He looked every bit the wealthy shipping magnate. From her vantage point, he’d looked serious and intent when he’d spoken to his father. Tahlia had watched him from afar, soaking in every bit of his aura, from the curly fro on his head that she would love to run her fingers through to the bushy eyebrows above sexy eyes to those sinful lips.

Unfortunately, Maximus Knight hadn’t stayed long at the gallery. She’d been pulled away to help a customer, and when she’d finally looked for him, he’d been gone. But now everything had changed. Arthur’s death had set her on a new path that Tahlia could only hope she could prove worthy of.

“I still can’t believe it,” Kaitlynn said. “Did you have any idea that Arthur Knight put you in his will?”

Tahlia shook her head. “None.”

“Have you told Mom yet?”

“No, not yet. She’s at work now,” Tahlia responded. Their mother, Sophia, was an RN at UCLA Medical Center and had just started her evening shift. And Tahlia couldn’t possibly tell her this news over the phone. This news had to be delivered in person.

Kaitlynn glanced down at her Apple watch. “Oh, yeah, right. I’d forgotten. She’ll just die when she hears the news.”

“Just like I did,” Tahlia responded. “It’s so surreal.”

“Why do you think Arthur did it?”

Tahlia shrugged. “All I can think of is that I was kind to him. Sometimes he’d come in on his lunch break to just stare at the paintings. He’d be so wistful that I’d come over and chat with him. I could tell something weighed on his mind heavily at times, but he never shared with me the full details.”

“So you had no idea he was carrying on an affair?”

“Of course not. But I did know he had another son whom he had treated unfairly. I suspect Arthur regretted his actions, which is why he’s taken such drastic actions now in his will.”

“But to make you the deciding vote?” Kaitlynn said. “That’s heady stuff. He clearly thought very highly of you, sis.”

“I feel honored,” Tahlia said, lightly touching her chest. “And scared out of my wits. I mean, Kaitlynn, I know nothing about the shipping business.”

“Perhaps Maximus will teach you.” She grinned with a wink. “I think you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

Tahlia jumped up from her stool to cover the blush she could feel creeping up her cheeks. “Why would you say that?”

“C’mon,” Kaitlynn teased. “I’ve seen how you react whenever Maximus is mentioned in the news or on social media. You’ve got a crush on him,” she said in a singsongy tone.

“Do not,” Tahlia said, spinning around to face her.

“Preach to the choir because I’m not listening.” She covered her ears with her hands.

“Even if I did,” Tahlia responded with her hands on her hips, “I doubt Maximus would be interested in a peon like me.”

“I beg to differ. You’re in a position of power now, and Maximus will have no choice but to stand up and take notice of you.”

“Because of the shares I have?”

“You’re the deciding vote,” Kaitlynn responded. “He’ll want to keep you close. The question is how close will you let him get?”

Tahlia smiled at Kaitlynn’s teasing tone. She’d wanted Maximus to see her, but she would rather it was because he genuinely found her interesting, not because he thought she was a pawn he could use. But perhaps if they spent some time together he’d see her as something more than a vote in his favor. Only time would tell just what her relationship with Maximus would be.

* * *

“This is stunning news, Max,” his best friend, Griffin Cooper, stated when they met up on Sunday at the Los Angeles Country Club. Now seated in the main dining room, they were sharing breakfast over a cup of coffee. They’d forgone their weekly racquetball session to just sit and talk.

“You’re telling me,” Maximus replied. “I knew my father was a cunning liar, but I never in my wildest dreams imagined he would cut me out of what’s rightfully mine.”

“You’ve worked your butt off for Knight Shipping,” Griffin concurred. “It’s not fair.”

“No, it isn’t.” Maximus seethed in his seat. He’d been awake for nearly half the night mulling the situation over, remembering everything he’d ever done to win his father’s favor. The countless times he’d made sure to excel in school, to be the best in sports, to get into Harvard Business School, and still it was never quite enough. His father always pushed and pushed him. And for what? So in the end he could share running Knight Shipping with Lucius? And Tahlia Armstrong? Where in the heck had she come from?

“Why do you think he did it?”

“At first, I was so sucker punched, I couldn’t think of a single reason why. And then it came to me.”

“What came to you? Don’t leave me in suspense.”

“Tahlia may think my father’s motives were altruistic in giving her those shares. And maybe they were.” Maximus’s lips twisted in a cynical smile. “But I suspect the old man wanted to ensure that I never took Knight Shipping public.”

Griffin’s expression grew still, and he became serious. “Do you really think he went that far?”

Maximus shrugged.

“What are you going to do?” Griffin inquired. “Contest it? I would imagine your father made the will iron-clad.” Griffin was an attorney at a well-known law firm in Los Angeles.

Maximus nodded. “Robert said as much.”

“So? Do you think Lucius will sign over his shares?”

“It’s doubtful,” Maximus responded. Despite the fact that Lucius hadn’t asked for or even wanted the inheritance, Maximus doubted he’d walk away from it. His older brother struck him as the proud type. He’d keep the shares, just to show Maximus that he could and to prove to himself that he could run it. He’d done his research, and Lucius hadn’t become a corporate raider by chance. Lucius had obtained an MBA before investing in his first business venture, an up-and-coming technology firm. The gamble paid off, and he’d made his first million before he was thirty.

Unlike Maximus, who’d been groomed since he was young that one day he’d take over the company Arthur had started with his mother Charlotte’s help. Oh, yes, Maximus had learned years ago that his father had married into money and had used her family’s money to start Knight Shipping. No doubt, that was why he’d stayed married to her because he didn’t want to lose his empire. Yet, he continued his affair with Jocelyn Turner, the woman he’d truly loved.

It burned in Maximus’s craw.

“Max?” Griffin interrupted his thoughts. “What are you thinking? I can see your mind spinning a mile a minute. Are you thinking about the overseas deal and how you’re going to salvage it?”

Knight Shipping had been offered lucrative contracts to transport electrical machinery and luxury vehicles, but they needed capital to expand, especially if Knight Shipping wanted to compete with the other cargo and shipping companies in the Port of Los Angeles marketplace.

“I am thinking about it. But there’s no getting around Lucius,” Maximus responded, “at least for the moment. I’ll have to choose a different route.”

Griffin studied him, trying to read his next move. “The girl?”

“Bingo.” Maximus smiled devilishly.

“How?”

“Get her on my side. Convince her to see things my way.”

“And how do you plan to do that?” Griffin inquired, sipping his coffee.

Maximus shrugged. “It’s quite easy. Seduce her.”

Griffin choked on his beverage. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Tahlia Armstrong likes me,” Maximus replied. “I sensed it yesterday when she stayed behind for dinner.”

“Your mother dined with the woman who’d been carrying on an affair with her husband for years?” Griffin was aghast.

“Trust me, it didn’t last long. But it was Tahlia’s idea. From what I gather, my father intended her to be the peacekeeper between Lucius and me. Last night was her first attempt, which although a bust gave me just the ammunition I need to get out of this quagmire my father has left us in. I mean really, Griff, he gave both of us forty-nine percent? What was he thinking?”

“He wasn’t. He felt guilty for keeping Lucius in the dark about his true identity. This was his way of making amends.”

“At my expense,” Max said hotly. “He could have given Lucius money, baubles, anything—even a smaller percentage of the company. Why did he have to give him an equal share in Knight Shipping? He knew how much the company meant to me. The only thing I can think of is he did this to spite me, get back at me in some way because I was never the son he really wanted.”

Griffin frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it obvious? He wanted Jocelyn. He wanted their son, Lucius, but he could never have them because he was bound to my mother because her money was used to build his company.”

“C’mon, Maximus. That sounds twisted. I’m sure that’s not it.”

“Isn’t it?” Maximus had never truly felt loved by his father. Arthur had been happy to see him go away to boarding school and college. And when he’d come home, Maximus would be so happy to see him and eager to show his father the reports of how well he’d done, but Arthur could never be bothered. He was always working. For what? A company he told Max would be his, only to give half of it away to Lucius, the son he really wanted?

“Max, bro.” Griffin grabbed his shoulder from across the table. “Don’t. Don’t do this to yourself. Don’t second-guess everything that ever happened between you and your father. It’ll drive you crazy.”

“No crazier than learning my entire life was built on a lie,” Maximus stated harshly, shrugging Griffin’s hand away. “Finding out my father married my mother for her money and only stayed with her because of it. He never loved her or me. We were both just a means to an end.”

“Max...”

Maximus rose to his feet and buttoned his suit jacket. “Anyway, thanks for hearing out me, Griff. I guess I just needed to get some things off my chest.”

Griffin stood, as well. “Of course. Anytime you need an ear, I’m here to listen.”

Maximus turned to leave, but Griffin stopped him.

“What about Tahlia Armstrong? Were you serious about your intentions toward her?”

Maximus hesitated in his footsteps. No, he wasn’t sure this was the right move. He didn’t relish hurting anyone, least of all an unsuspecting, sweet and beautiful woman like Tahlia Armstrong, but his hands were tied. “It’s the only way.”

* * *

Tahlia stood outside Art Gallery Twenty-One in the Arts District on Monday morning and looked up at the white stucco two-story building. She still couldn’t believe she owned it, lock, stock and barrel. Arthur Knight had purchased the art gallery on her behalf and bequeathed it to her in his will.

A smile formed on Tahlia’s full lips. He’d done this for her. When all she’d ever done was listen to the older gentleman when he came to look at artwork. She’d had no idea that small act of kindness would lend itself to Arthur being so generous.

“How long are you going to stand outside?” asked Faith Richardson, a petite blonde with a luscious mane of hair that Tahlia would kill for. Faith was one of the main reasons she’d stayed at the gallery. In addition to sharing a love of art, they were also friends as well as coworkers. Of course, she wouldn’t be a coworker for too much longer once Tahlia shared her news.

Tahlia couldn’t wait for the opportunity to tell Bailey Smith who was boss now.

“Oh, I’m coming in,” Tahlia said as Faith swung open the double glass doors into the gallery.

Every time she did, Tahlia loved how wide, open and airy the gallery was. With its white walls, covered with paintings and other works of art, it was her dream come true to exhibit at a place like this. She’d never imagined that one day she’d own it.

“There you are,” Bailey Smith, Tahlia’s boss, stated as they arrived. “You’re late.”

The slender brunette was wearing a scowl as Tahlia and Faith approached her, though Tahlia had to admit she was looking ever the fashionista in a navy pantsuit and cream silk top and was no doubt wearing designer heels. Meanwhile, Tahlia was her usual self in a twisted-drape pencil skirt and an off-the-shoulder sweater with a slew of dangling necklaces.

Bailey flashed a disapproving look at her ensemble before starting in on her. “How many times must I remind you about promptness, Tahlia?”

Tahlia sighed. “I’ve lost count.” It was only a few minutes after 9:00 a.m., and there were no patrons in the gallery. Most didn’t arrive until just before noon. She didn’t understand why Bailey insisted on riding her. It wasn’t like she didn’t stay late when needed.

“Then I would think you’d remember to be on time,” Bailey reminded, “but that’s inconsequential. I’ve just been told that our new owner will be arriving to this morning’s staff meeting. Come, the attorney is here.”

She ushered them toward the back of the house where Bailey’s office, Tahlia and Faith’s even smaller office and the small kitchenette were housed.

When she arrived, Tahlia found Robert Kellogg, Arthur’s attorney, already seated. She smiled and he returned it with one of his own. Only the two of them knew what she was privy to but would soon be revealed to the group.

Tahlia took a seat at the six-seater table while Bailey sat at the head of the table with Robert and Faith flanking her to her left.

“Mr. Kellogg, we’re very eager to hear news of the new owner,” Bailey began. “Please fill us in.”

“And I am eager to share with you,” Robert returned.

“I’m just so sorry to hear of Mr. Knight’s passing. He was a lover of the arts. Of course, I had no idea he actually owned the gallery.” Bailey chuckled nervously.

“He preferred to keep his interests private,” Robert said, looking in Tahlia’s direction.

Bailey glanced at Tahlia with a raised brow. Could she tell that the gauntlet was about to drop on her? Tahlia was just happy that Robert was here to give the news.

“As I mentioned to you a couple of days ago, Ms. Smith,” Robert began, “the reading of Arthur Knight’s will occurred yesterday and Arthur Knight was named as owner of Art Gallery Twenty-One, and he bequeathed it...”

“Will his son Maximus be taking over the gallery?” Bailey asked, interrupting him.

“No, Arthur had someone else in mind.”

Bailey’s eyes lit up with anticipation. “Who, then?”

Robert turned to face Tahlia. “Ms. Smith, meet the new owner of Art Gallery Twenty-One.”

“W-what?” Bailey’s eyes grew wide with disbelief. “I—I don’t understand.”

“Omigod!” Faith’s hand flew to her mouth.

“All right, then let me be clear. Arthur Knight bequeathed the gallery to Ms. Armstrong. She is the gallery’s new owner.” He slid the deed of ownership over to Tahlia.

“That simply can’t be,” Bailey said. “Why would he do such a thing? She—” Bailey motioned toward Tahlia “—is a lowly gallery assistant, while I have been running this gallery for over three years.”

Robert shrugged and closed his briefcase. “I don’t know what to tell you, but the will is a fait accompli. Ms. Armstrong.” He glanced at Tahlia, who couldn’t resist sporting a huge grin at Bailey’s disbelief that she actually owned the gallery. “If you need anything, please—” he handed her his business card “—give me a call. Arthur asked me to be at your disposal for whatever questions you might have as you take on your new ventures.”

“Ventures? As in plural?” Bailey inquired incredulously. “What else did he give you?”

“Good day.” Robert nodded at Tahlia and left the room, leaving the three women sitting at the table.

“This is such great news,” Faith said and rushed from around the table to give Tahlia a warm hug. “I can’t believe it. You own the gallery. But why don’t you seem surprised? Did you know already?”

Tahlia nodded. “I received a letter from Mr. Kellogg that Arthur requested the gallery be given to me upon his death, but I didn’t have the actual paperwork until now.” She held up the deed in her hand.

“You!” The one word from Bailey that came across the table was bitter and caused Tahlia and Faith to both look up in alarm.

Bailey’s normally porcelain skin was red with fury. “You own the gallery! What did you do? Sleep with the old man?” She laughed. “You must have. How else to explain why a wealthy man like Arthur Knight would give a gallery to you, a peon, a nobody.”

Anger boiled in Tahlia’s veins. She wouldn’t be put down by this woman a second longer. She’d been Bailey’s whipping boy—or girl, for that matter—for two years, but no more. “Watch yourself, Bailey. Be very, very careful before you utter another word.”

“Why? Because you’ll fire me?” Bailey laughed, throwing her head back. “Well, don’t bother. I quit!”

“Good, you’ve made my life easy,” Tahlia responded, facing the angry-faced woman. “I don’t have to fire you. Please pack your belongings and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

Bailey took a step toward Tahlia. “You’ve no idea how to run this gallery. Mark my words, you’ll be out of business within the year because you’re a flighty ditz.”

“Get out!”

“Gladly.” Bailey stormed from the conference room.

Tahlia followed Bailey to her office. She watched her open and close drawers and bang items around as she packed a box. She was keeping an eye on the woman because she wouldn’t put it past Bailey to try to sabotage her. Her former boss was packed in five minutes flat and stalking toward the front door, her stilettos hitting the wood floor like spikes. When the door finally slammed behind her, Tahlia let out a long sigh of relief and leaned against one of the walls.

“Wow! That was dramatic,” Faith commented from behind her.

Tahlia breathed in deeply before she spoke. “Yes, it was. I just hope she wasn’t right.”

“Right about what?” Faith asked, folding her arms across her chest. “About you failing? That’s a lot of hogwash. Bailey just had sour grapes because Arthur Knight didn’t leave her the gallery. Though I shouldn’t be surprised it was you. You and he always did have a special bond.”

“Yeah, we did.” Tahlia became wistful as she glanced at one of the benches where they used to sit. With her father gone, Arthur had been like a father figure to her, filling a void she hadn’t known she’d needed filled until she had someone to confide in about her hopes, her dreams and her fears. She remembered sitting with Arthur during his lunch hour and talking at length. He hadn’t wanted to go back to the office. Instead, he wished he was in the Louvre in Paris. With Lucius’s mother, perhaps?

“Don’t worry.” Faith reached across and patted Tahlia’s arm. “You’ll do great. You’ve always had tons of great ideas that Bailey would never listen to. But this place—” she spread her arms wide “—is yours now. And you can do with it as you please. Invite whatever artists you want to exhibit.”

Tahlia beamed as she stood up from the wall. “You’re right. We’re—” she pointed to Faith “—going to do great things here. And Bailey Smith will rue the day she ever underestimated me.”

And so would Maximus Xavier Knight. If Kaitlynn was right in her assumption that he would try to charm her, then Tahlia was going to have to have her wits about her.