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My chest tightens at the mention of her name. "What happened? Is she all right?"
"She's fine, just a bit shaken up. Apparently, she had a tantrum and overturned some furniture. The staff felt it best if someone came to collect her for the day."
Talia. Of course she would step in to help. The thought of Solana in Talia's care brings an unexpected smile to my lips.
Their time together would do the girl good. "Yes, that's perfect. I’ll text my wife. Thanks."
Rob nods. "Will that be all, sir?"
"For now. Thank you, Rob."
He closes the door behind him, leaving me alone once more with my thoughts.
Winning the game will not be enough. When all is said and done, I want something real to come back to. A family of my own, and perhaps a chance at happiness I've only begun to dream of.
And Talia—kindhearted, strong-willed Talia—may just be the one to share that dream with me. I pull out my phone, composing a text to my wife. As I stalk out of the room, completely distracted, I practically stumble over Felix as he stands in the foyer.
Felix's eyes narrow, sensing the shift in my mood. "What made you so cheerful all of a sudden?"
“Why are you still here?” I frown, feigning nonchalance. "Shouldn’t you be planning to fuck off to Europe about now?"
"Don't give me that. I know you too well, nephew. Tell me what has got you looking like a ray of absolute sunshine."
"If you must know,” I say, adjusting my tie. “Talia got me involved with a charity called Hope House. I’m on my way to see whetheror not I can help my wife handle a rather trivial emergency.”
All color drains from his face.
"Hope House? Isn’t that an orphanage?”
I shake my head at him and start walking toward the front door.
“A youth shelter, I think it’s called.”
“Andshe’sinvolved you with that place?" His voice rises in anger. "Have you lost your mind? After all the work I've put in, you'd throw it away for some do-gooder and a bunch of unwanted brats?"
“What are you talking about, Felix?”
He hurries after me. “You’re changing, Dare. You don’t even see it, but I do. That woman has got you wrapped around her little finger somehow. She’s convinced you that you need to go and adopt a bunch of snotty kids. That’s insane. You’re a Morgan, for chrissake.”
“Shut up,” I say, gritting my teeth. “Leave me alone. I have to go help Talia soothe a little girl named Solana. I don’t need you wringing your hands and trying to figure out how to turn the situation to your advantage.”
"Solana? You've even given one of them a name?" He laughs harshly. "You're more foolish than I thought. Once I tell Burn about this, he'll—"
"You'll do no such thing." I step closer, staring down at him. "If you so much as breathe a word of this to Burn or anyone else, you'll regret it. Are we clear?"
Felix glowers up at me but holds his tongue. He knows I don't issue empty threats.
"Besides," I add, “it's time for new blood to take the helm. Fresh ideas and a clean slate, without all the backroom dealing and double-crossing that's been the hallmark of this family for too long."
A muscle in his cheek twitches. "You won’t succeed."
I meet his gaze steadily. "Try me."
He turns crimson. But I merely brush past him, leaving my uncle behind. I have far too many things on my mind and none of them are my greedy family.
ChapterNine
TALIA
