UNDER THE PALM TREES by Kaira Rouda: Excerpt

We are delighted to feature this excerpt by Kaira Rouda’s UNDER THE PALM TREES!

UNDER THE PALM TREES

During a weekend retreat, a powerful family plays a dangerous game of dark secrets and cold-blooded ambition in a novel by Kaira Rouda, USA Today bestselling author of Beneath the Surface.

Under the direction of the Kingsleys’ new president, Paige, the family has gathered for a weekend retreat at a luxurious Laguna Beach resort.

Still clinging to the hope of succession are the sons of Richard Kingsley, the family patriarch and CEO: John, the oldest, who’s clawed his way back from a dark tragedy, and Paige’s estranged husband, Ted, the golden boy. When Richard’s ex and his wayward daughter join the fray, Paige finds herself with two fast allies. They know a secret that could shatter the family legacy. Call it leverage, call it revenge, the Kingsley women believe they have the upper hand.

But as the power games begin, greater threats than the howling Santa Ana winds are coming. Because this weekend, amid so much greed and betrayal, no Kingsley is safe. It’s family. Watch your back.

FRIDAY

1 

PAIGE 

They say it’s always the husband—and in my case, that’s the truth. Well, to be clear, it’s always my estranged husband, Ted. I remind myself I’ve found a good divorce attorney and take a deep,  cleansing breath. 

Through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls of my office, I see him, pacing back and forth, today’s ridiculous gift in hand, trying to get my attention. It’s childish, this behavior. Unoriginal. This is an every-morning performance: sometimes he brings doughnuts; other times, flowers, or a single sparkling water tied with a pink silk bow. He keeps making these offerings, I suppose expecting a different response from me. Or maybe it’s all for show, for his family, for his ego. 

I pick up my phone, pretend to be on a call, and wave him away with the flick of my hand. I  shouldn’t be surprised he has betrayed me again. Fool me once, and all that. But this time it’s business. I’m not sad. No—this time, finally, I’m angry. For so many years, I looked at his  handsome face and couldn’t believe he was mine. The first word that came to my mind those days was love. Now the only word I have for him is betrayal. Oh, and the phrase I’m filing for divorce. 

I know I need to talk to Richard, my father-in-law and boss, and tell him what I discovered and why I’m ending it with Ted. I spent the morning reading and rereading the letter from the city; the attached legal notices all amount to a big stop sign for the largest project Kingsley Global Enterprises has ever greenlit. The first big land deal I approved as president. All based on Ted’s insistence it was a clean deal that would mean everything for Kingsley’s future. Because of this deal, Ted has driven a huge wedge of doubt into Richard’s opinion of me, after I’ve worked so hard to turn things around at the company. 

I know the employees have begun to see me as an effective leader. While I’ve been winning them over slowly, Richard’s admiration has been slipping away quickly. It’s the look in his piercing blue eyes, the downturn of his lip. He’s disappointed in me, and I have no idea why. Could it be he’s jealous of me? Of the fact the staff seems to like me? My eight months on the job have been marked by Kingsley Global Enterprises’ reemergence into the community as a philanthropic force.

A community-spirited company gains a certain type of protection from enemies, especially if ugly secrets are unearthed. And besides, I enjoy doing good in the community, and this company can certainly afford it. I could attend a fancy charity event every weekend evening if I choose to,  and we have been equally well received by the media, too, touting fresh female leadership at one of Orange County’s most powerful companies. 

There’s a knock on my door, and before I can say anything, Justin pops his head in. “Hey, here’s today’s offering,” he says with a crooked grin. Justin is my assistant—a dashing,  too-good-looking, dimple-sporting man who is ten years younger than me. When Richard hired him six months ago, I was wary; he was too good to be true. Maybe he still is, but I’m embarrassed to say I enjoy every moment in his presence. 

I stand up and walk over to his side. “What is it today?” I hold out my hand, and he drops a red silk bag into it. 

“I’m guessing jewelry. He hasn’t done that lately.” Justin grins again, pushing a hand through his dark, thick hair. He’s distractingly cute.

I open the pouch, and sure enough, it’s a heart encrusted with pavé diamonds on a gold necklace. I drop it back into the pouch, trying to decide which of my twin daughters will get this latest gift. I roll my eyes. 

Justin smiles at my reaction. “Are you all set for the retreat? Need anything else from me? If  not, I’m going to head on over to the resort, get you checked in, and walk the space once more.” “I think I’m set. I just feel like I need to speak to Richard before I head over. Is he here? Can  you try to get me a meeting?” I ask. 

“Sure, let me go find out,” Justin says. He touches my shoulder, and a tingle zips down my spine. “You know, he’ll be at the retreat. He promised to attend. You could speak to him there.” “I know. I just want to get ahead of this land deal story. The reporter is running it tomorrow.” “It’s not your deal, Paige. It was Ted’s. Everyone knows that,” Justin assures me. “I’ll go find out if Richard has time to talk.” 

“Thank you,” I say, closing the door behind him. Yes, it was Ted’s land deal. Yes, his brother, John, agreed it was a great deal. But Richard said I had to make the final decision. I believed Ted. Again. After everything he’s done. After all his lies, his cheating, his gambling, his dalliance—or whatever it was—with his own stepmother. John assured me he’d looked at the numbers, and Ted promised he’d looked at all the land-use issues. Even Richard said the deal looked doable, but he left the ultimate decision up to me. I knew in my heart Ted was a liar. I never should have approved the deal. If I’m not careful, this will give Richard the ammunition he needs to get rid of me, replace me with someone else. 

Sometimes, I think he wants to push me aside—I do. But other days, he seems . . . well, like the old grumpy Richard who is fond of me and likes having me around as president. You just never know where you stand with the Kingsley men. That’s why, from now on, I will stand on my own two feet. I’m stronger now. A role model for my daughters, who are working here this summer.  Hear me roar. And I’m not going to allow any of them to walk all over me again. Particularly—and especially—not Ted. 

Justin’s back. “He’s already left for the resort. I’ll head over, tell him you would like a meeting before the retreat starts. Don’t look so worried. Everything’s fine.” 

I shake my head. “I’m well aware this weekend will be a lot like herding cats, but I must make my mark. I have a lot to prove here. You know that.” 

“You do, and you are. Remember, when I first started here—working with you—I honestly  didn’t think you would make it.” 

He’s told me this before, but it stings every time. “I know. I seemed too nice.” I take a deep breath and walk over to my desk. 

“Yep. And maybe easy to manipulate, for some people,” he says. “But the truth is, you’re tough and smart. So pack up your things, and I’ll see you over there. It’s a gorgeous day. Santa Ana  winds are predicted tomorrow and Sunday, unfortunately.” 

“I didn’t know that,” I tell him, filling my briefcase with my computer, extra phone, and all the charging cables life requires these days. “I hope they aren’t too strong.” Those winds put everyone on edge. The air changes, people’s moods shift. It’s dry—and itchy. Really unsettling. 

Justin sighs. “Well, it is what it is. At least it’s warm and sunny, even with the winds.” I don’t make eye contact. I remember the wind-driven fires in Laguna Beach, the roaring red flames of destruction above us on the hill, the ash swirling, choking the air. Our frantic evacuation.  I shake my head, try to force the memories away. 

The winds are not what we need this weekend. The winds remind you of how tentative everything is and how fast it can all be lost.

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Kaira Rouda is a USA TODAY, Amazon charts, and international bestselling, multiple award-winning author of contemporary fiction that explores what goes on beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Her domestic suspense novels include BEST DAY EVER, THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER, ALL THE DIFFERENCE, THE NEXT WIFE, and SOMEBODY’S HOME. Her latest novel is THE WIDOW. BENEATH THE SURFACE will be out in September, 2023. To date, Kaira’s novels have been translated into more than ten languages.

She lives in Southern California with her family and is at work on her next novel. Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest: @KairaRouda; and on Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books.

If you’d like to host Kaira at your book club, in person or virtually, connect with the author, visit KairaRouda.com

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Category: On Writing