Free Lex and Lu by J. Santiago Page A

misunderstand me,” she said. “I don’t mean it as a slight. Just that when it came to managing his son’s career and money, he did everything right. When it came to Lex, he drove a hard bargain.” Again, she paused. “He was a hard act to follow.”
    Lu knew this to be true. She never asked for details from anyone, but she knew that Lex was worth a lot of money. His soccer career had been storied. Lex’s talent and his father’s business acumen were a profitable combination.
    “When I began going through Lex’s accounts, which are vast, I noticed that a trust had been set up. Twenty percent of everything Lex made was funneled into the trust.”
    Lu got very still. When she thought back on this moment later, she would regret that she let her poker face slip.
    “Mike never did tell me what that trust was for, but I can see from your expression that you know what it is?” she said, questioning Lu.
    Lu, regaining her equilibrium, said, “No, I don’t.”
    But she’d already shown her hand.
    Caroline looked doubtful. For a moment, Lu thought she would let it go and relief surged through her. But it was fleeting.
    “You don’t have to tell me. I imagine I’ll find out before too long.”
    Although her tone dripped with understanding and sympathy, Lu felt suddenly chilled.
    “I can see the way Lex is looking at you. He wants you. Just be careful.”
    “You’re worried about me?” Lu asked, skepticism clear in her words.
    Caroline continued to stare at her. Lu could see that she would be good at her job, representing her clients with equal parts charm and confidence.
    “That’s an interesting question,” she responded. “I’m very familiar with the way Lex operates. Right now, he wants you; that’s plain as day. It’s equally clear that you want him. But you don’t really know him anymore. He’s not the same boy that you knew. And his attention span is short. You are familiar and convenient. But he’ll leave you behind. I’d hate for you to get hurt.”
    “I certainly appreciate your concern, Caroline. But I’m not after Lex,” she reassured her, “not that it’s any of your business, though.” Lu just couldn’t hold that comment back. She liked Caroline, but this really wasn’t any of her business.
    Caroline smiled, clearly not offended, and patted Lu’s knee. Lu got the distinct impression that Caroline was patronizing her, but she didn’t care as long as this conversation was reaching a conclusion.
    “Just be careful,” she murmured as she stood up to leave. She was almost out the door when she stopped and turned to Lu. “I almost forgot,” she said, although Lu knew that she didn’t ‘almost forget’ anything. “Mike left a letter with me for Lex in case anything ever happened to him. I imagine it holds the key to the mystery that is the trust. I’ll give it to Lex before I leave tomorrow.” With that, Caroline swept from the room.
    Lu knew she’d be given notice. She had until tomorrow to tell Lex about Nina.

10
     
    Willa found Lu sitting in the same striped wingback chair that she had escaped to thirty minutes before.
    “Come on, chica. The hall is clearing out. We’re headed to the Village.” Taking up the seat that Caroline vacated, Willa threw herself into it. “You OK?”
    “Aren’t you sick of asking me that question?”
    “Hell yes. Damn, just get over this mopey shit,” she replied, reminding Lu of Sky and eliciting a smile. “Seriously though, why’d you bolt out of the room?”
    “You don’t want to know.”
    “Seriously? Of course I do. What happened?”
    “I can’t tell you.”
    “Why not?” Willa demanded. “What the hell, Lu? I saw Lex say something to you. What did he say?”
    “Will, trust me,” Lu said, not wanting to think about what he had said. But just talking about it brought the whispered words back to her and a blush crept up her neck.
    Willa watched, fascinated. She laughed as she said, “Ooh, Lu. He said something dirty dirty