It’s an unfortunate development, but a minor hurdle won’t derail my plan. Even though I need herhelp to succeed, her animosity might just make things more interesting.
Roxy Moretti. Five feet of ambition, attitude, and trouble. And part of me wants more. Unfortunately.
I get it now—why men burn kingdoms for women who look at them like that. Not with interest, but with a challenge.
It’s hot.
In this case it’s also untimely, and a complete nuisance. I’m here for a reason. Distractions are not appreciated.
Rounding the desk, I lower myself onto the swivel chair.
Modern, sleek, light gray furniture and a large glass desk are the exact opposite of my father’s mahogany, leather, and soul-assassination-filled office.
If nothing else comes out of this, at least I’ll spend some time in a space that doesn’t suffocate me.
Corm blindsided me with his consulting contract. I should be able to get the dirt on my father within that time frame.
I wouldn’t even need to become a partner. It would save me the headache of selling my share of this company after the fact.
My phone vibrates, and I almost smile when I see the caller ID. “Alf, old man, you saw me last week and you miss me already?”
Alf has been more of a father than my own ever tried to be. Not that he asked for that. Sometimes, connections happen when you’re ready to give up.
That’s how he also became a friend and a mentor—my refuge when life gets too much, and I need to disappear.
“Just wanted to tell you the family moved into a new house.”
“That’s great.”
“And there is money in the account that was not there before. Is that another donation?”
“Is this another call to complain that I’m supporting a good cause?”
“Aren’t you doing enough?” Cicadas play a concert in the background.
I can see him in his shabby rocking chair on the veranda of his house in the rainforest.
“What bothers you about it?” I lift an onyx paperweight from the desk and weigh it in my hand.
He remains silent for a long beat. “Nothing. I’m calling to thank you.”
“Why do I heara butcoming?” I drop the paperweight and flex my fingers.
“Just making sure your motivation is altruistic.”
The sarcasm in his voice doesn’t annoy me, but the topic… Not this again. “Instead of?”
“A bandage for your conscience.”
Ever since my best friend died in Guatemala, I’ve been showing up in many ways. And Alf has been raising the same question. Fuck. I wish my actions were purely charitable, but I’m sure they are selfish.
“You know what?” I snap. “Just return the money if you don’t want it.”
He laughs. “Fuck no.”
“I’m glad that’s settled,” I grumble.
“Nothing that happened here was your fault, Liam.”
