Depths of Deceit Read online

  Liam approached her and slipped one arm around Ava’s waist. When she didn’t object, he moved in closer, chest to chest. “I called your mobile because I wanted to see you outside of the office.” He was brave enough to steal a sneaky kiss. “To spend time with you.” Ava was motionless when he peeled off her clothes, allowing herself to succumb to her ex-husband’s charms. When she stood naked in his arms, feeling exposed and vulnerable, she shut her eyes, hating how lonely she’d become since their divorce. Liam was a warm body, nothing more.

  “Are you seeing anyone?” Liam murmured as he feathered kisses along her jawline.

  “No. Are you?”

  Moaning under his breath, Liam carried her to the bed and climbed on top of her, shredding his shirt and pants in the process. “I’m seeing a twenty-year-old,” he said in between kisses. “She works at the account agency in my office building.”

  Ava inhaled a sharp breath when he entered her body. She fell into rhythm with him, her head lopped to one side, staring at the pile of paperwork on her nightstand, thinking how she was going to finish it if Liam stayed the night. When he climaxed inside her, Ava didn’t linger for the post-sex pleasantries. She wandered into the bathroom and shut the door behind her, spending twenty minutes washing Liam’s scent off her. When she re-entered the bedroom, she found him asleep on his side of the bed, naked, the sheet covering the curve of his hip. As she studied his strong profile and muscular frame, he reminded her of what their relationship used to be—boring, monotonous, and safe. Ava couldn’t deny she had loved Liam wildly, but she craved something more fulfilling—like her career.

  Too tired to kick Liam out, Ava dressed into her pajamas and slipped into the silk sheets, hoping she could fall asleep without the normal thoughts of work keeping her awake.

  ~ ~ ~

  Elias wished his co-worker Scott Parish would stop bothering him and get back to work. The young man perched on the edge of Elias’s desk, scrolling through photos of his crazy weekend on his phone. His boyish face was alit with glee.

  “Oh, you have to see this one, mate,” he said, shoving the mobile under his nose. “See that hot chick with her arm around me?”

  “Yeah.”

  “She had the best rack I’d ever seen!” he said unabashedly, his grin getting wider. “I buried my face in it all night.” His cheeks then reddened. “In fact, there was another part of her I buried deep into.”

  Elias blew out a frustrated breath and minimised the document window on his computer screen. “Scott, this is hardly a conversation for the office. Do you have work to do? Because I can gladly give you some. Ava will be returning from her meeting at any moment, so get out of her office.”

  “It’s all work and no play with you, isn’t it?” Scott replied glumly, slipping his mobile back into his pocket. “You never come out for drinks with us after work. All you do is sit in this office and type on your laptop until the sun goes down.”

  “I enjoy working here, Scott, and I would like to keep it that way.”

  “You’ve been here for a month, right?”

  Elias nodded.

  “How’s Ava been treating you?” Scott wiggled his fingers at Fiona, a staff writer, as she walked towards the copy machine. “During my first week, I thought having a female boss would mean laid-back Mondays and casual Fridays. But Ava’s just as hard-ass and cunning as some of her male counterparts. She needs to have control over everything. I thought CEOs sat in their big, airy offices drinking scotch and smoking cigars all day.”

  “Not Ava. She fought tooth and nail for this company and still does. I understand why she needs oversight,” Elias said. “Blue Tail Media is a juggernaut in the industry but we’re still brushing the dirt off our shoulders after this scandal. Ava is being careful of every word the company publishes at the moment. Everyone is watching us, scrutinising us. One wrong move and this company—and your job—is gone.”

  Scott rubbed the back of his neck. “I didn’t realise it was that bad. Has she disclosed all of this to you? She’s a very private person. I doubt she’s told the board half the stuff that goes through her crazy head. Did you know you’re the first male assistant she’s had in three years?”

  “I’m not her assistant. But I’ve heard the rumours.” Elias sat back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. “Is that why I was getting inquisitive stares on my first day?”

  Scott nodded. “Yes, but most of the girls in the office think you’re hot.”

  “I’m already spoken for.”

  Scott checked his watched and cleared his throat. “Well, I better get back to my desk. I told Angela I was getting a coffee thirty minutes ago.” He turned to leave when his cheeky smile returned. “Look, here comes Ms. Wolfe now. You better watch out, Elias. She has that look in her eye.”

  Elias glanced up and saw Ava enter the reception area, her unwavering gaze fixed on him. She wore a crisp white blouse, black pencil skirt, and crimson-red heels that matched the hue of her lips. Her copper curls bounced with every step.

  Scott slipped out of her office just as she entered, brushing past his shoulders. “Good afternoon, Scott,” she said. “What are you doing in my office? I hope you’re not dragging Elias from his work?”

  Scott’s entire face flushed pink and he shuffled on his feet nervously. “I was just giving him a copy brief for Storm magazine. I’m leaving now.” He darted out of the room, closing the door behind him.

  Ava heaved her handbag and a pile of magazines onto her desk. She sat down with a huff, dragging her hand through her windswept hair. “Sometimes I wonder if I hired the wrong salesman. All Scott seems to do is float around the office looking for accomplices.” She reached for the cappuccino placed on her desk before her arrival. “Despite Scott’s visit, did you get any work done?”

  “Do you want me to leave out Scott’s debaucheries?”

  A playful sneer pulled at Ava’s lips. “Please do.”

  Elias picked up his notepad and read through his list. “All press releases have been written, edited, and scheduled for release. I’ve booked journalists from the Herald, the Star and the Sydney Sun to interview you over the next fortnight. I’ve corresponded with Bespoke Public Relations and their media buying team to purchase advertising space in—”

  “Stop right there,” Ava interjected, putting her hand up. “Cancel all future advertising with Bespoke as of today. I haven’t been happy with their services for a while. They don’t have the skill base to handle our hefty requirements, especially after the scandal. From now on, I want you to work closely with Heathcote PR regarding upcoming advertising and promotion. They are experts in brand awareness and rebuilding public trust.”

  Elias struggled to keep up with the words pouring from Ava’s lips, jotting everything down on a notepad. “I’m aware that Heathcote PR is an advertiser,” he said, “but why haven’t we used them for public relations before?”

  Ava’s red lips thinned as she scrolled through her unread emails. “Our business relationship was complicated, but I anticipate solid results with this agency. They’re very good at what they do.”

  All Elias could think of was Ava’s ex-husband and the unwelcome jolt of jealousy in his gut. “Do you want me to arrange a meeting with Mr. Heathcote this week?”

  Ava spun her wrist around to check her watch. “No, today. I told him you would be at his office at four o’clock. It’s three-thirty and the school kids are out. Get your ass on the next train.”

  Chapter 7

  Casually lounging back in his leather chair, Liam Heathcote eyed Elias across the desk with a cool, cat-like nonchalance. Dressed like James Bond and built like an athlete with wide shoulders, long legs, and a strong jawline, Liam fit very nicely into the black and gold décor of his office. Awards and accolades adorned the walls and if Elias angled his head right, he could see an old pho
to of Liam and Ava’s wedding tucked between the dust-coated knickknacks on the book shelf.

  “Would you like a drink?” Liam offered, gesturing towards a mini fridge against the wall. “I have beer and vodka.”

  Elias shook his head politely, wishing he’d bought a scarf to combat the air conditioner stationed above his head. Any sweat patches on his body from the train ride had now dried. “No, thank you. Maybe some other time.”

  Liam swung one leg over the other and squeezed a stress ball in one hand, his green eyes narrowing slightly. “I can’t trust a man who doesn’t drink during the day.” He threw the ball across the room where it rolled underneath the couch. “Anyway, I want to discuss the work you did for the Manny Magpie scandal. Ava told me how you single-handedly bought the studio back from the brink. She’s very impressed.”

  “What man doesn’t like a woman telling him how brilliant he is?” Elias quipped.

  Liam tossed his head back and laughed. “Quite true, mate. You would be a great fit for my agency. I need people with sharp wit and instinct. It’s a shame Ava snapped you up before I had a chance.”

  “I don’t think Ava would let me go for anyone.”

  A shadow of jealousy flashed across Liam’s face and Elias wondered if he’d struck a nerve. He knew the man was intimidated by him because he was working closely with his ex-wife every day. Elias figured the wedding photo on the shelf was a gesture of false hope to rekindle their relationship.

  “Ava’s a tough bird,” Liam added as he walked over to the bar fridge to extract a bottle of beer. “When Bobbie Hayes was kicked out, General Manager Chris Smith, a Hayes loyalist, resigned the same week, leaving Ava to clean up his mess. She’s working two jobs to keep the company afloat. That’s why she hired you, Elias.” Liam jarred a finger at him. “Her concerns should be about getting Blue Tail Media out of the gossip pages and back into the public’s good graces.”

  “That’s why I’m here, isn’t it?” Elias asked, thinking he should’ve opted for a beer after all. “What do you have in mind?”

  Liam sat back down, taking a swig. “I’m thinking a good, old-fashioned charity fundraiser could restore the company’s image. It worked for Sky Airlines after their disastrous PR fail and boosted Malik Bank’s shares when their CEO was caught in a brothel. The business world is rife with scandal. But it’s never the end of the world. If a company can survive public backlash, it can survive anything.” Liam tapped his fingers on his desk in absent thought. “We can raise money for breast cancer awareness or domestic violence. The public associates Blue Tail with Hayes and we want to erase that stigma. I know a great charity called SHE who helps DV victims get back on their feet.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “Ava would want this event to be front-page news. It’s our job to make that happen. Since you and I’ll be working closely together, we need to think on the same page. No bullshit, no hierarchy,” Liam explained. “We can brainstorm later on. For now, get on the phone and contact every high-end hotel in the city. Due to the scandal, it might take some persuading to get interest, but we’ll keep going. The Pameer Hotel’s Grand Ballroom might be a good place to start. Let’s see if they would be willing to accommodate our requests.” Liam leaned forward in his chair.

  “It’s very important we get this right, Elias. The entire company is teetering on the edge and I want to pull it back from the brink. I’m positive this event will be a hit. Most of all, Ava is relying on us to make it work. She’s an attractive, high-visibility CEO trying to bring some stability and growth back to Blue Tail Media. As hard and tiresome as the job is, she never gets a break, ever. If she were an unattractive man in a bad suit, she’d be a hero to the public. She’s a woman. It makes everything worse, but it’s my job to make it better.”

  “I agree with you, Liam. Blue Tail’s still in damage control,” Elias said. “If the fundraiser fails, it’s not just Ava’s head on the chopping block. When should I book a room?”

  “The sooner the better. We need to send out invitations as soon as possible. Book something within six weeks. Can you do that? It doesn’t give you a lot of time. Most places book out six to twelve months in advance.”

  Elias was very good at his job. In the past, he had booked conferences, meetings, and concerts with less notice. He could do anything. The competitive side of him wanted to prove to Liam he was a solid adversary. “I’m on it.”

  Finishing his drink, Liam wandered to the bar fridge again. “Can I interest you in a beer, Elias? You look like a man who could loosen up a bit.”

  The clock above Liam’s head ticked over to six thirty. Elias was eager to get home and showered. A month working at Blue Tail Media had already isolated him from family and friends. Was it really worth it? He pushed his chair back and slipped into his jacket. “Thanks, but no thanks. I have plans tonight. I’ll email you a list of hotels tomorrow.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “Elias, how are you enjoying your new job?” Donald Henderson asked as he took a swig of his beer. “Daisy told us you’re working extra hard these days.”

  Elias swallowed the chunk of prawn in his mouth and ignored the disapproval dripping from the man’s lips. For years, Elias’s career had come first, always, instilled in him at an early age by his parents. Work hard to earn the things you want. Elias lived by their mantra—owning his first apartment and a brand-new sports car, which he never drove, before he was twenty. When he was younger, success mattered more than love. Past girlfriends had left him out of frustration, angered by his absence in the relationship. It was never intentional—Elias just loved working.

  Now, as he sat opposite the astute Mr. Henderson, watching the corner of his lips twitch in distaste, Elias knew the former policeman would be analysing every word he said.

  “I’m enjoying my job very much, sir,” he replied, swirling his fork around his creamy prawn fettuccine. “It can be demanding at times, but there’s more career direction with this employer. At the moment, I’m organising a charity fundraiser. We’re hoping it will be the biggest event of the year.” In fact, working with Liam, organising the fundraiser meant he saw more sunrises than he saw his girlfriend. He was failing big time as her boyfriend, and unfortunately Daisy knew it too. She sat next to him, rigid as a post, her cherry-red lips pressed into a thin line, burying her fork into her pasta. Whether she was mad at him or at her father’s interrogation, Elias was unsure.

  Donald cleared his throat and reached for his beer bottle. “I imagine it will be.”

  “Who will be attending the fundraiser?” interjected Olivia, Daisy’s mother, who sat beside her husband. Her eyes were wide with interest, glistening. “Have you invited any movie stars or television celebrities to the fundraiser?”

  Another perk of working in the media was the occasional bumping into famous people at events. Elias had met well-known actors, philanthropists, politicians, and musicians over the years. They were just like normal people. He didn’t understand society’s obsession with celebrity.

  “I’m working with a PR company to organize the invite list. We have a few names on there you may recognise.” He flashed her a smile, dropping it immediately when he saw a muscle tick in Donald’s jaw. He was getting sick of the constant battle to impress Daisy’s folks. Unless he put a ring on her finger, he would forever be the pariah. He knew he should’ve hosted the dinner at home, that way he would be in his own territory, but Daisy insisted the one-hour drive to her parents’ was important.

  Then, his mobile phone vibrated in his pocket, giving him a brief respite. He took the opportunity to grab the empty crystal jug on the table. “I’ll fill this up,” he announced, crossing the room to the kitchen. As he turned on the cold water, he checked the text message. It was from Ava:

  Guess who’s coming to the fundraiser? Teddy Rollins!

  There was Olivia’s movie s
tar. The Sydney-born Hollywood actor was the famous face Elias needed to bring the cameras and paparazzi to the event. Teddy was still riding the wave of success after winning his first Academy Award this year. The press followed him everywhere.

  Elias texted back:

  How did you do to persuade him to come?

  Ava replied immediately:

  We dated in high school. He owed me one after I got his first audition in Hollywood. Teddy is a good friend and he’ll accept any publicity right now. Having a recent Oscar winner attending the event means we can charge more for the raffle tickets.

  Elias heard a chair scrape across the floor in the dining room and he quickly pocketed his phone. Daisy entered the kitchen with a stack of plates in her hands.

  “Are you coming back to the table or are you going to stay here and text your boss all night?” she asked, slotting the plates into the dishwasher.

  “How did you know it was Ava?” he asked, resting a hip against the counter, arms crossed over his chest.

  “You practically left a smokey outline of your body when you ran from the table. I don’t know anyone else who gets the same reaction from you. What did she want?”

  “She texted to say she booked the fundraiser’s guest of honour. That was all.”

  Fuelled by the five glasses of wine in her belly, Daisy went on a tirade, her pale eyes turning a shade of black. “You can’t take one night off, can you? We came here to see my parents and have family time, but you still brought your work phone. You drop everything for Ava Wolfe.”