His need could have brought down the agency his father had worked so hard to build. How could Elle have tricked him like that? How could she have lied with her kisses and passion?
He thought of her grandfather and wondered if he would have done the same for his father if he’d been asked. Brock already knew the answer. He would have done anything his father asked because he’d provided Brock with unswerving love and loyalty.
Pushing aside his mixed emotions, he walked into the office that had belonged to James Maddox. Brock had changed it very little since his father’s death. Somehow, keeping the same furniture made him feel as if his father were still nearby. The founder of Maddox Communications, however, would be turning in his grave if he knew Brock had gotten sexually involved with his assistant, let alone the granddaughter of Athos Koteas.
He called the human resources director to send up a temporary assistant. Someone trustworthy, he emphasized, feeling a surge of bitterness and tamping it down. Stabbing his fingers through his hair, he took some time to prioritize the work on his desk. Brock was still babying the deal with The Prentice Group. Marrying Elle would dispel any objections the conservative client would have about Brock’s involvement with a coworker.
He swore under his breath. This week had been a nightmare. Finding out that Elle had betrayed him had been bad enough, but learning of her pregnancy had totally turned his head around. Even though he wasn’t sure he could ever trust her again, seeing her in his house had done something to him. Having her there had made the house feel more like a home to him.
Brock had lost his fiancée because he’d ignored his personal life in order to focus on the company. Although he wasn’t in love with Elle, he did have feelings for her. Add that to the fact that she was carrying his child, and he was determined to make their relationship legal.
His BlackBerry rang and he checked the incoming number. His brother, Flynn. He’d probably gotten wind of the press release. Brock picked up. “Brock here.”
“I suppose congratulations are in order,” Flynn said. “This is sudden.”
Brock felt a twist of discomfort. Since Flynn had gotten married and stepped down as VP at the firm, Brock had found himself wanting more camaraderie with his brother. “You know me. When I make a decision, I move fast.”
“I’ll say. Are you headed to the courthouse tomorrow?”
“We’re getting married next week,” Brock said. “It’ll be a beach ceremony. I’d like you to come.”
Silence followed. “Thanks. I’m honored.”
“I’ll give you the details later. How is Renee?” Brock asked, referring to Flynn’s wife.
“Happily bearing my child,” Flynn said. Brock could hear the contentment in his brother’s voice—for once, he felt a sliver of envy. He couldn’t honestly say that Elle was happy to be pregnant with his child.
“She’s excited about attending the shower for Jason and Lauren Reagert’s baby this weekend.”
Brock nodded. It seemed pregnancy was in the water at his firm lately. Jason was a huge new talent at Maddox, and when he’d married his wife, Lauren, he’d done so to avoid a scandal. It hadn’t taken long for Jason and Lauren to fall in love. Brock didn’t expect the same for himself, but he was determined to make his marriage to Elle successful, at least.
“I’m glad things worked out for them,” Brock said.
“Any chance your marriage will make you leave the office on time once in a while?”
Brock gave a cynical laugh. “On time? There's no such thing as a regular quitting time in my life until I’m sure Golden Gate can’t do any more damage to Maddox.” Even now, he wasn’t sure exactly how much Elle had told Koteas, and he refused to grill her in her current state.
“Okay, bro, just don’t forget to live your life. See you next week,” Flynn said.
“Next week. Bye.” Brock disconnected the call. He glanced out the window of his office at the shoppers and trolley cars in constant movement. He remembered the words his father once said when he’d been daydreaming instead of completing a school assignment: The world won’t stop just because you’ve got problems.
So true, he thought, pulling himself out of his distracted state. He picked up the phone to call a jeweler.
Three
Elle spent the day visiting her mother at home and her grandfather at the hospital. When she’d broken the news to her mother that she was going to marry Brock after all, her mother had been ecstatic. Elle still couldn’t believe it. The very thought of it locked up her brain, so she’d put off shopping for a dress or anything else. When Brock had called to invite her to dinner at his house, her mother had insisted she join him.