AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Damn those camera phones! Lucas thought bitterly.
The brothers, along with their cousin Antonio (prior to his tying the knot recently), would often unwind at an exclusive nightclub in the downtown core of Toronto every so now and again. Unfortunately, many opportunists and wannabe reality stars would take their phone recording devices and cameras and take all sorts of snapshots of them or with them and post all sorts of stories online.
Lucas thought little of it at the time but every time there was a community program he was involved in on a workday or a major deal to clinch, random images would surface in the media at just the right time in an attempt to discredit his reputation as trustworthy or professional. Like he needed that sort of help. It was bad enough his old man left him a legacy of a tainted name from which he had to distance himself.
His father, Jack, was caught up in some fraud and mishandling of funds scandal some time ago but the media never eased up after he was cleared on a technicality. Reports even went as far as to accuse the Romero family of using their influence and money to buy off witnesses—which was completely false. But that didn’t help much.
He had already gotten into a heated discussion with his grandfather over the phone last night about the situation as it unfolded in the media. His grandfather’s solution was to issue a written statement, yet again. But Lucas sure as hell wasn’t going to apologize or try to explain himself every single time a ridiculous insinuation came to light in the papers. He had better things to do with his time than to consistently play into games.
But a few things were true about Lucas Romero.
He didn’t bow to pressure.
He didn’t care what the hell people thought about him—as long as he was true to himself.
He didn’t believe in marriage.
***
An hour later, the Romero clan was seated in the plush study on the main floor.
“Have you read the headlines this morning?” Toni spoke up as he sat by the grand marble fireplace facing his grandsons. He was, in a word, furious.
“Granddad, I’m sorry this all happened but I had nothing to do with that girl. I’m not issuing a statement,” Lucas asserted.
“Do you even care about your reputation, Lucas?”
“I care about not wasting time,” he responded with rigidity.
“Lucas, I’ve told you before and I’m telling you again. In business, reputation is everything. Without it, you’re nothing.”
“You can’t control what people say about you, Gramps!” Zack shot to Lucas’s defense.
Toni gave his grandson a stern glare. He sighed deeply before answering. “That is true, Zack. But it doesn’t mean that you live in such a way that makes it darn easy for people to say horrible things.”
“Now what’s that supposed to mean?” Lucas’s voice hardened. He felt his muscles tense as he pulled away from the oak table in the study he was leaning against. His hands were still shoved in the pockets of his trousers. His blazer was opened and his tie loosened around his neck. He was on his way to the office downtown after the meeting.
Antonio and Lucy looked on with mixed expressions. Lucy rubbed her hand over her swollen belly as if she felt her baby move. She was five months pregnant with Toni’s first great-grandchild. Something that should be the delight of his world right now but unfortunately it was overshadowed by the current nonsense. At least Antonio III was doing something valuable with his life. He had some stability being married to a good woman, expecting a child. The way things should be.
Jules, Troy and Carl, Toni's other grandsons, were present and had already proffered their share into the matter when the family meeting commenced without Lucas while he showered. Occasionally, the men would exchange glances with each other as the elder Romero spoke. It wasn’t often a family emergency meeting had to be called at Romero Mansion to brainstorm on what move to make after the family name was being sullied. Toni was at least grateful for that. But one time or twice was one or two too many.
“I’m saying that this isn’t the first time you had some…indiscretion. Remember that time at the hotel in Vegas?”
“You’re not seriously blaming me for that?” Lucas fired in a clipped tone. He leaned back against the desk again, his hands shoved in the pockets of his dress pants as his blazer hung loosely. Toni resisted the urge to tell him to button up his suit. What he wanted to tell him instead was to button up his attitude.
