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“Name?”
“Antonio De Guerda. He’s part of the…”
“Bastille Foundation,” Father said as he leaned back in his chair.
“He was,” I corrected him. “He left six months ago. They just didn’t announce it. In fact, they kept it very quiet.”
“Embezzlement?” Father narrowed his eyes and I shrugged.
“I don’t think so, he’s a little too smooth. I think he used their resources for non-charitable interests or focused on charity at home. Either way, he’s setting up here. Opening a consulting firm or something. The details were rather boring—that said, he knows more than he pretends.”
That much had been clear.
“Good to know. I want you to set up a meeting with him.”
I didn’t bother to ask why. He wouldn’t tell me unless he felt like it. “Urgent?”
“No. It can wait until after the Masquerade. Have you arranged a date?” The transition wasn’t his most graceful, then again, he didn’t usually worry about smoothing over things when it was just us.
This was definitely not a conversation I wanted to have. Not right now.
“No, sir.” I downed another mouthful of bourbon. “I thought we agreed that attending social events stag offered us better opportunities.”
The faintest of smirks touched his face. “Hmm… possibly. Oksana will be in town though, you should consider inviting her.”
“Of course,” I said smoothly. I’d just make arrangements to get her out of town.
“If not, perhaps Tally. She might need an escort. It would offer a bone to the Marlowes.”
I was definitely not Tally’s type. While that suited me fine, she was more likely to stab me than attend with me so, maybe not. “I will reach out to Oksana.”
“Good.” Father tilted his head, his gaze assessing. “Tell me what’s going on with Adam these days.”
“Not much. He was out of town for a few months and now he’s back. I’m assuming he’s working.”
“You two used to be close.”
I shrugged. Our friendship was none of his business. “I’ve been busy for you.” And for the king. “I would presume he is as well—I did see him briefly a few nights ago.” Better not to let that slide. “After the auction. I crashed at his place in the city rather than drive back out here. But he was gone before I woke up.”
All true.
Father nodded slowly. “See if you can wrangle something with him. Harper’s been making some moves lately and I want more information.”
“I’ll see what I can do. We rarely discuss his parents…”
“Have a few drinks, loosen him up. I’m sure you can manage it.” He favored me with a firm look that said agree, so I nodded.
“Meet with Antonio de Guerda, invite Oksana to the Masquerade, and see what I can find out about the Reed family business from Adam.” I ticked the items off. “Anything else, sir?” I drained the bourbon. The warmth did little to unknot my spine even as I kept everything as blasé as possible.
“Emersyn Sharpe.”
I waited.
“You were at school with the man she married.” It wasn’t a question. He already knew this so I just waited him out. “Reach out and begin social overtures. If she is interested in divesting of some Sharpe holdings, we can make her a solid offer.”
Liam would go for that sometime between never and over his dead body. “I’ll grab him the next time he’s in town. Better to not look too eager.”
Father smirked. “Good point.” He drained his own glass. “We should get back out there. Don’t just disappear. It gets noticed.”
