Trust Me, page 22
“No, I’m not,” Lucien said to his wife. He looked over at Mack. “I think you would make a fine mayor, Mackenna. In fact, I can’t think of anyone who would be better for the job.”
Mack told herself not to cry. She would cry later, when she was alone and could bawl like a baby. Or, better yet, when she was in Ezra’s arms and could sob against his chest. Right now, she would be the strong person Lucien Warner had help mold her into.
“Are you planning to step down?” she asked him.
“Yes,” he said with a nod. “I was hoping I could serve out the rest of my term, but that’s selfishness on my part. It’s better for everyone—for the entire city—if I step down,” he said.
He let out a shuddering breath. Liza patted his hand.
The light bulb finally went off in Mack’s head. “This is why you’ve flip-flopped on so many things this year.”
He nodded. “I’ve been battling bouts of confusion all year. I’ll remember looking at a certain matter one way, but then days—sometimes hours later—forget how I felt about it.”
Mack’s heart broke in two. She’d never seen a look of such utter defeat on Lucien Warner’s face. It pained her to see him this way.
“I wish I had known sooner,” Mack said.
“I should have told someone. I should have stepped down months ago,” he said.
“It’s okay,” Liza told him.
“But it isn’t,” Lucien said. “We both know that. I keep thinking about what could have happened if I’d wandered further than Pascagoula and couldn’t find my way home. Or if I’d been stopped by a sheriff’s deputy and couldn’t explain who I was or where I was going. Can you imagine the headlines?” He shook his head. “I don’t want something like that to be my legacy. I want to leave office with dignity.”
“Then do it on your own terms, in your own words,” Ezra said.
They all turned to him.
Ezra nodded reassuringly at Mack before turning his attention to the mayor. “Mayor Warner, how would you feel about an open letter to the people of New Orleans, where you explain exactly what’s happening and why you’re stepping down?”
“That’s a compelling idea,” Mack said. “This way you would control the narrative.”
“Exactly,” Ezra said. “We could begin with what it has meant for you to be the mayor of this city, and then explain the need to step down. You would have a say in how citizens learn about your condition, without having to fear that it will be sensationalized.”
Liza Warner walked around the chair and placed her hands on her husband’s shoulders. “I think you should consider this, Lucien. Like he said, this would be you stepping down on your own terms. We wouldn’t have to hide it anymore, or worry about what would happen if someone found out.”
He looked at Mack. “Or have someone I love and respect believe that I’ve turned into a corrupt politician.”
“I’m sorry,” Mack said, her voice cracking over the words. Ezra caught her right hand and brought it to his lips.
“What do you say, Lucien?” Liza asked.
With his eyes on his wife, the mayor nodded. “Okay. I’ll do it.” He turned to Ezra and Mack. “But I want this to happen quickly. Within weeks, not months. I want this to be my resignation letter.”
“I’m available to get started whenever you are,” Ezra said. “I’ll make the time.”
Mack rose and walked over to her mentor. He stood, and after a moment, wrapped his arms around her. “You will make an excellent mayor, Mackenna Arnold. And you make sure they don’t put that gas turbine in District D. I want you to give Cecil and Russell hell.”
She laughed, but it came out as more of a sob. “I will. I promise,” she said. Still holding onto Lucien, she reached over and grabbed Liza’s hand. “You both know you can call on me at any time, right? Do not hesitate. I mean that.”
“I know you do,” Liza said. “I’m going to take good care of him. I’ve already found several promising clinical studies around the country, and plan to get him into one of them as soon as possible.”
They said their goodbyes, with Ezra making a promise to return in a couple of days to begin his interview of the mayor.
Mack could feel the emotional tidal wave approaching with each step she took toward her car. She sat in the passenger seat and broke down. Convulsive sobs tore through her with such force her shoulders began to ache.
Ezra sat behind the wheel, gently caressing her back while softly whispering that it would be okay over and over again. Even if she had all the time in the world, it wouldn’t be enough time to express how grateful she was to have him here with her right now. At this very moment, Mack could see herself falling in love with him. She was halfway there already.
Once she was over the worst of her crying jag, she pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes and released a deep sigh. “I don’t know if I’m crying because I’m sad or relieved.”
“Probably a little of both,” Ezra said.
She nodded. “I can’t even describe how much of a relief it is to learn that Lucien was never involved in any kind of corruption. But dementia? Nothing like that ever entered my mind.”
“Why would it?” Ezra asked. “He’s still relatively young, and in tremendous shape.”
She looked over at him. “I’m not sure how I should feel. It would be different if he had to leave office because he was wrapped up in something shady, but now that I know he’s being forced out because of this. I feel…guilty.”
“Don’t,” Ezra said. “You have his blessing. And his support. You have nothing to feel guilty about, Mack.” He slid his hand to her neck and began to massage it. Then he nudged her head, encouraging her to turn his way. “He was right, you know? You’re going to make one fine mayor, Mackenna Arnold.” He winked. “In more ways than one.”
Mack burst out laughing.
She leaned over and captured his jaw, then went in for a quick, but deep kiss. “At least I know I have one reporter I can trust in my corner,” she said.
His brow hitched up, along with one corner of his mouth. “What makes you so sure about that?”
“Because you’ve proven it,” she answered in all seriousness, hoping he heard the genuine sincerity of her words.
He took possession of her lips once more, treating her to the kind of kiss that would have led to her stripping herself bare…if they weren’t still sitting in her old law professor’s driveway.
With one last swipe of his tongue, Ezra released her from his kiss and whispered, “And I’ll continue to prove it to you every single day.”
Epilogue
Ezra pulled his cap further down on his head as he made a break for it, running from his car to his father’s front door. The rainstorm had been brutal all day and didn’t look to be letting up anytime soon.
He entered the house and found his entire family in the living room, including Mackenna, who’d come earlier with Indina.
“I guess it’s a good thing we didn’t have that party, huh?” he asked.
Their dad had caught wind of Indina’s plans for a surprise party and put the kibosh on it, much to his sister’s disappointment. He had, however, agreed to a nice family dinner with his kids and grandkids.
“That’s okay,” Indina said. “Mack got Daddy to agree to have a party at the lake,” she said.
Ezra’s eyes widened as he looked over at his dad. “You agreed to a party? You?”
Clark Holmes shrugged his broad shoulders. “She said we could take her speedboat out on the lake. I couldn’t pass it up.”
Mack gave a shrug of her own. “It’s just sitting there. Why not put it to use?”
“That’s going to piss someone off,” Ezra said.
She grinned. “An added bonus.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Reid said. His brother walked over to him and gave Ezra a one-arm hug. “Congrats on the story, bro. It’s been blowing up my timeline on Facebook all day. “
“You’re on Facebook, Uncle Reid?” Athens asked.
“Of course he is,” Liliana said. “That’s where all the old people go to waste their time.”
“Hey,” Reid said. “I’m not old.”
“You turn thirty next month,” Ezra reminded him.
“Yeah, definitely old,” Liliana said.
“Harrison, come get your kids,” Reid said. “And your brother and sister. I’m done with all of them.”
Mack greeted Ezra with a smile, hug and kiss. “I’ve been following the noise about the article. It’s getting hailed in some of the major news outlets around the country.”
His profile on Lucien Warner, In His Own Words, had taken political circles by storm. It was rare for the mayor of a large city to step down. Mayor Warner had been applauded for doing so in such a dignified manner. Ezra had, in turn, received calls from a number of news organizations around the country.
In fact, he was late to his dad’s because he’d had a conference call with one of the nation’s largest online news magazines. The editorial board wanted him to join their team as their southeastern region reporter. The call had ended with a promise from Ezra to get back with them after he finished up calls with several other outlets.
It felt damn good to be wanted.
“I was going to buy a cake from the bakery, but Liliana and Willow decided to make your favorite,” Indina said, carrying a double layer cake into the dining room. “Yellow cake with chocolate buttercream icing and coconut filling.”
“Now, you see here. This here is all I need,” their dad said.
“Well, that’s too bad, because there’s more,” Willow said. She actually smiled at Harrison as he handed her a wrapped gift, and said, “Thanks, honey.”
Ezra had to stop himself from giving them both a high five. It looked as if they were making some progress.
“Now, you children know how I feel about presents,” his dad said in that warning tone he’d been using since they were kids. It didn’t have the same effect on them it once did, but it was pretty damn close. Ezra nearly took a step back so that he wasn’t within smacking distance.
“Well, this gift isn’t only for you,” Willow said as she set the box on the table in front of him. “It’s our hope that many of the people in this city will benefit from this gift for years to come.”
Their dad looked suspiciously at them all as he tore the paper from the box and took off the top. “What the…” He lifted the T-shirt from the box. “The Diane Holmes Foundation?”
His dad’s shocked, befuddled expression made Ezra smile.
“We want Mama’s legacy to live on by helping young girls in New Orleans go to medical school to study heart disease in the black community,” Harrison explained. “Maybe, one day, one of those girls will be the one who cures it. Mama will have played a part.”
Ezra stood there in shock as he witnessed something he’d never seen before, a tear rolling down his father’s face.
Clark wiped his face and cleared his throat. “I guess we did a good job raising y’all after all.” He stood and gave them each a hug.
Reid cracked a stupid joke, breaking up the emotional tension filling the air. At the same time, Griffin showed up, and Indina suggested they cut the cake so they could all get out of their dad’s hair.
A few minutes later, Mack came over to the chair where Ezra sat in the living room and parked herself on his lap. “This cake is amazing,” she said. “Willow should open a bakery.”
“You plan to share?”
She jerked her plate away from him. “You’d better get your own slice. And be quick about it, because Reid is already on his third piece.” She nudged him with her shoulder. “How did you stop yourself from crying when your dad opened his gift? I was ready to bawl.”
“I ran baseball statistics from the All-Star game in my head,” he said.
Mack rolled her eyes. “Just so you’ll know for future reference, I find a man that shows a little emotion sexy,” she said.
“Is that so?” Ezra asked, running his hand along her firm thigh. “In that case, why don’t we go back to your place. We’ll throw on one of those chick flicks and I’ll give you all the emotion you can handle. I’m talking about crying, kicking, screaming. You name it.”
She threw her head back with a laugh. Then she leaned over and whispered in his ear, “What do you say we skip the movie and I give you another reason to scream?”
He immediately took the plate from her hand and set it on the coffee table. Nudging her from his lap, he took her by the hand and hauled her out of the living room.
“Where y’all going?” Reid called.
“Mack just got wind of an emergency meeting,” Ezra said. “We’ll see you all later.”
Once they were on the front porch, Mack stopped him. “Umm, don’t you think they’ll find it suspicious when they find out there was no emergency meeting at City Hall,” she asked.
“Did I say anything about the meeting being at City Hall?” Ezra slapped her on the ass. “Now let’s get out of here, councilwoman. We’ve got a meeting in your bedroom to get to.”
Also by Farrah Rochon
The Holmes Brothers
Set in New Orleans, the Holmes Brothers series follows the lives of the men of the Holmes family as they find love in one of the world’s most romantic cities.
Deliver Me
Release Me
Rescue Me
Chase Me
* * *
Moments in Maplesville
Visit the sexy, sultry, small southern town of Maplesville in my Moments in Maplesville novella series.
* * *
A Perfect Holiday Fling (Callie & Stefan)
A Little Bit Naughty (Jada & Mason)
Just A Little Taste (Kiera & Trey)
I Dare You (Stefanie & Dustin)
All You Can Handle (Sonny & Ian)
Any Way You Want It (Nyree & Dale)
Any Time You Need Me (Aubrey & Sam)
* * *
Visit my BOOKS page to see my entire backlist!
Click to the next page to read an excerpt from Chase Me, Indina and Griffin’s story!
Chase Me
Book Five in the Holmes Brothers Series
What was she thinking?
The last thing Indina Holmes needs in her life is three days on the open seas with her loving but nosy family. But that’s exactly what she’s in store for her when her brother guilts her into joining the Holmes family reunion cruise. When she needs a cabin mate at the last minute, her only option is the co-worker she’s been sleeping with for the past year. Now, she just has to keep her family from trying to play matchmaker.
* * *
What was he thinking?
For the past eight months, Griffin Sims has pretended to be okay with the co-worker-with-benefits arrangement he’s had going with Indina, but he wants more than just her body. He wants a real relationship. Indina’s invitation to join her on a cruise is exactly the opportunity Griffin has been looking for to prove to the woman who has been sharing his bed that it’s time for her to share her heart.
* * *
CHASE ME
Chapter One
Squinting against the sun’s vibrant rays peeking annoyingly through the mahogany custom-made blinds, Indina Holmes executed a full body stretch across the silky 1000 thread count sheets. Her previously tense muscles were now loose and languid after the early morning workout she’d just been subjected to in this bed. Thank God for that particular kind of workout. She’d needed it like a man roaming the desert needed water.
It had been dark when she’d arrived nearly an hour ago, but judging by the dawn’s insistent intrusion on her postcoital relaxation, it was past time for her to go.
“I don’t want to,” Indina half groaned, half whined as her eyes focused on the ceiling fan twirling lazily above her.
You can’t stay in this bed all day.
Especially not today, when the culmination of countless meetings, hours of field research, and more time at her design desk than Indina wanted to think about, would finally be put forth before the executive committee responsible for several new federal and state buildings that would be built in the city of New Orleans. Her team’s performance today would determine if they landed a billion-dollar contract.
And just like that, the tension was back. Too bad she didn’t have time to go for another round between the sheets.
Indina sucked in an uneasy breath as she glanced over at the digital clock on the nightstand.
Shit.
If she didn’t get out of here soon she would be late for work. She cursed herself for not bringing her work clothes with her when she left her house earlier this morning.
With one last stretch across the king-size bed, Indina pushed herself up into a sitting position. She could hear the shower’s powerful jets coming from just beyond the bathroom door, and cursed herself again. Five minutes in that shower would get rid of the lingering tension in her muscles, with or without the water.
Tossing her legs over the edge of the bed, she walked over to the sitting area and picked up her bra and panties from the chair where she normally dropped them whenever she was here, which had been more often than usual in the past month. Between work and family, her stress levels were at an all-time high. Thank the ever-loving Lord she had a reliable outlet to expend the nervous energy constantly flowing through her bloodstream these days.
Indina slipped her panties on and threaded her arms through the bra’s straps, clasping it in the back. Just as she reached for the cotton shirtdress she’d thrown on before coming over, her cell phone rang. She walked back over to where she’d left it on the nightstand, and rolled her eyes when she noticed her brother’s name on the screen.
With a sigh, Indina sat on the edge of the bed and swept her thumb across the green button.
