Slow Burn (Dynasties Seven Sins #7) - Janice Maynard Page 0,11

morning, after a sleepless night, Nikki drove to Falling Brook. The small community where she and her mother lived was about an hour’s drive away. Her mother was with Emma at the moment. Nikki’s shift at the diner didn’t start until eight tonight, and it was a short one. She felt the tiniest bit guilty about leaving her daughter. But this errand was important.

At ten to nine, she pulled up in front of Black Crescent headquarters. The building had been a source of conflict over the years for the way its modern architecture stuck out jarringly in the midst of Falling Brook’s mostly traditional landscape.

Nevertheless, it was an impressive structure.

Nikki had dressed in the same black pantsuit from last night. But she had exchanged the sexy stiletto heels for espadrilles, and her sleeveless blouse underneath the jacket was simple white cotton.

There would be two obstacles between her and her destination. The first was a young receptionist at the front desk.

Nikki gave the barely twentysomething kid a confident smile. “I have an appointment with Mr. Lowell at nine. Is it okay if I go on up?”

The smile faltered. “His assistant will have to okay you.”

“No worries. They’re expecting me.”

It was only partly a lie. She had called Joshua to tell him she needed fifteen minutes of his time. If he wasn’t in, his assistant would surely have listened to his messages. So either way, Nikki wouldn’t be a total surprise.

She climbed the stairs to the second floor. The executive assistant at the desk outside Joshua’s office was familiar. Nikki smiled. “Haley Shaw? You’re still here?”

Haley was only a couple of years older than Nikki. She had been working at Black Crescent as a college intern when Vernon and Nikki’s dad, Everett Reardon, had disappeared. Well, Nikki’s dad had tried to disappear. He’d fatally crashed his car into a tree while fleeing the police.

Nikki hadn’t been inside Black Crescent headquarters since she was a senior in high school. Nothing much had changed. Her father’s old office was at the opposite end of the hallway. She didn’t look in that direction. Her heart was already beating too rapidly. Being inside this building brought up painful memories.

Haley had a puzzled frown between her eyebrows. “I’m sorry, I—”

“It’s me. Nikki Reardon. I’m here to see Joshua. Very briefly.”

The other woman’s face lightened. “Nikki, of course. How nice to see you again.” Her gaze went to the computer screen at her elbow. “I don’t have you on his calendar...”

The door behind the desk opened, and Joshua Lowell poked out his head. “Thanks, Haley. Please hold my calls. Nikki, it’s good to see you after all these years.”

Nikki entered Joshua’s office and waited as he closed the door. “I won’t take much of your time, Josh,” she said quietly, conscious of the gatekeeper just outside the door.

Joshua waved her to a comfortable seat in front of his massive desk. “No worries. Let me have your coat. What can I do for you?”

She shrugged out of her thigh-length parka, handed it to him and sat down. Joshua was Jake’s twin. By all accounts, she should be feeling the tug of sexual attraction. But despite the fact that both men shared an unmistakable physical similarity, they projected a different vibe.

Josh was very handsome, confident and appealing. But he projected authority and a no-nonsense air of being all business. Where Jake was funny, and at times outrageous, Joshua was more reserved.

Nikki folded her shaky hands in her lap. “I’m sure Jake has already talked to you since last night. I owe you an apology,” she said bluntly. “He showed me one of the emails my mother sent. I knew nothing about them, and I am so very sorry. I’m going to speak to her firmly and warn her never to do anything like this again. She was trying to help me, but it was wrong. I hope you can forgive me.”

Joshua leaned back in his chair and smiled wearily. “I think you and I both know that parents don’t always make good choices.”

“Touché.”

“How did my brother react when you told him he’s the father? He wasn’t forthcoming about that part of the evening.”

Nikki tried not to fidget. Joshua Lowell was a powerful man. “Well, you had already given him a heads-up. I suppose me telling him wasn’t news. He says he wants to be part of Emma’s life.”

“And?”

“And I’m not sure. You know your brother, Josh. What your father did—what my father did—sent Jake running fifteen years ago. As far