The Millionaire's Intriguing Offer

New Beginnings

"I'm just not sure what you'll find on the background check. They didn't do one as in-depth for my current job."

"Probably because it didn't involve direct client contact."

"That's right."

"So, Bailey, why don't you just tell me what you're afraid I'll find out? Then you can stop worrying about it."

"It's no so much that I'm afraid," Bailey said as Tito watched her, his face expressionless. "It's more that I'm embarrassed, I guess. And private."

Tito just waited, and Bailey realized that if she didn't want this job offer to slip right through her fingers she was going to have to tell him at least part of her history. The part of her life she had closed the door on at 15 and hoped never to have to reopen again.

"Well, to start, Bailey Reid isn't my real name."

His face hardened just a bit and she had a glimpse of the dangerous man beneath the usually calm demeanor. It only convinced her more that his program with the young offenders would continue to succeed, because this was clearly a person who didn't put-up with any crap.

"You applied for a job under a fake name?"

"No, no. It's my legal name. But it's not the name I was born with. I was adopted when I was 15."

His expression softened. "That's not a crime, Bailey."

"No. But it's possible I have a juvenile record. I'm not sure. But I do know my father - my biological father," she amended, because the distinction was very important to her, "was in and out of prison."

"I'd be the last person to judge you by your biological father," Tito said, "considering the fact that my own biological father is a complete SOB who broke my mother's heart, left her struggling on her own, and never even acknowledged me and my sister."

Tito took a drink of his soda and smiled at Bailey, making her feel marginally better.

"And unless this juvenile record you may or may not have involved some kind of child abuse or elderly abuse or a sex crime, it's not relevant. And it won't prevent you from working with minors."

"It's nothing like that. I'm talking about being picked up as a runaway, and some petty theft, trespassing." She looked down at the remainder of her lunch. "Food. I was arrested for stealing food at a convenience store."

If he was curious about the details, he didn't let on.

"Bailey," he said, resting his tattooed arms on the table and leaning closer. A man whose eyes seemed to miss nothing. "I was sentenced to 10 years in prison for gang-related crimes when I was 17. Drug trafficking. Illegal firearms. I served 8 years. And then I got a second chance. It seems like you got a second chance when you were 15, and made the best of that opportunity. Just like I'm trying to do now.

"As far as I'm concerned, your past is your past and it's your own business."

She felt a physical wave of relief pass over her. Then she tilted her head and looked at him speculatively.

"Does that apply to Jonathon, too?"

"I'm certainly not going to tell anyone about your weekend with Jonathon, if that's what you mean."

"Actually, I was hoping you wouldn't tell Jonathon about my background."

Tito sat back in his chair.

"As a board member, all he needs to know is that you pass the Level 2 screening. Anything else is, like I said, is your own business."

He looked like he was considering whether to say something else.