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“With my campaign ramping up these next nine days before the election,” their dad continued, “I can’t devote the time I’d like to get it up and running with him.”
He looked back to find his dad’s gaze locked on him.
“And if the vote goes in my favor, God-willing, I’ll be in Washington quite a bit, and still won’t have time.”
He did not like the sound of where this was going. “What’s your point, Dad?”
“I’d like you to take a seat on the board with Grayson.”
“What?” Grayson stiffened so fast, Remy leapt to her feet beside him with a soft growl. His hand on the Shepherd’s head immediately quieted her.
“You want me to work with him?” His astonished laugh contained no humor. “That’s not gonna fucking happen.”
“Loyal,” Grandma Irene admonished from his left. “Watch your language.”
He cringed, but kept his focus on the right end of the table.
“That was not part of the deal.” Grayson seemed equally shocked at the unexpected offer. And pissed off, too.
“No, it wasn’t, but it is now,” his dad said in a firm voice. His father glanced at his mom, who gave a subtle nod. They were back to making decisions together, like they had ninety-nine-point-nine-percen
t of their married life—Grayson being the result of the point-o-one-percent they hadn’t.
“You will still be head of the foundation,” his dad assured him. “You’ll make the main decisions of where and how to focus the charity, but Loyal will be the CFO and oversee the money.”
“You don’t trust me?” he bristled.
“No offense, son, but I don’t know you well enough yet.”
“Offense taken, Mr. Diamond.” He tossed his napkin on his plate. “A month ago you tried to give me a million dollars. No strings, you said, and I said no.”
Loyal barely kept his mouth from gaping open even as he registered a soft gasp from one or more of his siblings. His dad had tried to give the guy a million dollars?
And he turned it down?
“But I come to you about an honest charity to help veterans in need and suddenly I have to have a fucking babysitter for your fucking money?” He snorted with disgust. “I’ll take the million instead.”
“That is no longer on the table. This is what I’m offering. Take it or leave it.”
Grayson’s jaw clenched tight as he switched his glare from their dad, to Loyal. Then he shoved away from the table and headed for the door with Remy trotting dutifully at his side. Halfway to the door, he came to an abrupt halt and half-turned toward the table.
“Thank you for the meal, Janine.” He shifted his gaze to Grandma Irene. “I apologize for my language, ma’am.”
With that, he continued out of the room and slammed from the house. Loyal actually understood and wouldn’t mind following suit.
“He didn’t actually say no.” His mom broke the silence.
“Oh, my God, that was such a no, Mom,” Shelby exclaimed.
Merit, Celia, and Shelby all started talking at once, but their dad held up a quieting hand as he caught Loyal’s gaze. “He just needs to calm down and think about it. Like someone else I know.”
“I’m perfectly calm, Dad. The answer is still no.” He let his gaze convey his commitment to his answer, then dropped his attention to the eggs on his plate, lifted his fork, and said, “Did you guys know Roxanna’s apartment building burned down last night?”
As expected, the news elicited shocked exclamations.
“Oh my God, is she okay?” Mom asked.
“She is. No one was hurt,” he assured them as his father recognized his distraction tactic and sat back in his chair with resignation.
