Page 104 of Lucas & Melissa Falling in Love
“That f—ing Bert,” Lucas says and he makes a move in their direction. Surprised by my own quick reflexes, I reach out and clamp down on his arm, stopping him.
“No, don’t.”
He looks at me, surprised and puzzled. I shake my head.
“Maybe you better explain the story to me,” Lucas says. I never did tell him the whole story about Alden Jones and my business failure. It had never seemed like the right time. I look up into Lucas’s eyes and see that same hard look. He’s waiting for the explanation, and I figure it’s necessary whether or not it’s the right time.
“Alden Jones is the real estate attorney who arranged the loan agreement for me to purchase some commercial and housing rental property. I don’t even remember who recommended him to me. I think I heard his name from several people and got hold of his business card from a chamber of commerce meeting I was at for real estate investors. Bert might have been at the meeting too, come to think of it.”
“I knew it was no coincidence that Bert knows this character,” Lucas says and I can hear his anger seething.
“Bert said he was a college frat buddy. But back when I hired him, at that meeting, Bert didn’t recommend him. I got the card from… I forget the guy’s name, but I think he was another acquaintance of Bert’s.”
“Bert ought to choose his friends more wisely,” Lucas says, then his mouth closes in a firm grim line.
“I was Bert’s friend,” I say, not sure why I’m defending the lout. “And George is his friend.” Lucas says nothing, waiting for me to continue.
“Al had me sign a contract for this multi-investor deal which turned out to be a really bad one. It worked for a while. For a couple of years, I raked in money. But the agreement was a ticking bomb. There was a well-disguised balloon payment clause triggered by a tax obligation ceiling. That alone wouldn’t have been so bad, but it was combined with a binding no-sale option. So I was stuck with a building that I couldn’t sell and that I suddenly owed a pile of money on. To get out of it, I had to pay the investors the entire balloon to keep ownership—or enough to meet the tax obligation and forfeit ownership.
“He’d clearly been in league with the other investors in the deal and had inside information about the tax situation and I didn’t. I trusted him and I shouldn’t have. The way Alden had drawn up the investor agreement, I was literally left holding the bag of debt and the title to the property defaulted to the other investors—who’d paid him handsomely.”
“I thought Jones was working for you?”
“So did I.”
I finish my sad story of shame in a mechanical voice and realize it’s the first time I’ve ever told anyone the full tale of my foolishness. I wait for the recriminations because I deserve them, don’t I?
“I’m so sorry, Melissa.” He hugs me, wrapping me full throttle and I squeeze my eyes shut against his shirt, but I don’t want to cry, feel no need to cry. I feel—
Lucas pulls away from the hug, but he holds my shoulders.
“That piece of shit is going to find out tonight that he didn’t get away with that stunt after all,” Lucas says. “And I’m not so sure Bert isn’t involved.”
I feel self-righteous indignation, exactly what I hear from Lucas. Then my mind lurches into overdrive and I strategize.
“You’re right. He shouldn’t get away with it, should he?”
“What’s he doing here?” Lucas asks.
“If I had to guess, I’d say he’s the so-called high value client that Bert wants to introduce me to tonight.”
“If that’s the case, then Bert couldn’t have been involved in your business swindle. Because even Bert isn’t that crazy to ask you to do business with a man who’s already swindled you.”
“Bert wasn’t involved with the swindle. He doesn’t even know about it. I’ve told no one about it, or about Alden Jones’ role. Except you just now.”
Lucas raises his brow and he’s studying my face like he can see my brain working.
“What are you thinking?”
“I think it’s time for Bert to introduce me to Alden.”
“Are you sure?” he asks. And I snap my head around and look at him.
“Of course I am. I can handle it.” The screech of nerves belies my claim, but I’m letting my outrage have its way. I need to stand up for myself. My recent success at the bank helps my confidence. I know I’m not a total failure. I want Lucas to have confidence in me, but I see the concern and bite my tongue. “I know you want to help, to right all the wrongs for me, but I want to do this myself. I need to.”
He nods. “I’ll be here for you. As backup.” He doesn’t saybecause we’re a team, but I hear it in his voice, so I smile.
Giving Lucas’s hand a squeeze of reassurance, in a twisted reversal of roles, I wind my way through the crowded party toward Bert and Alden. Bert sees me coming and smiles, ready to introduce me.
