Page 92 of Billionaire Lumberjack's Bride

The possibility that somethingcanbe done almost overwhelms the fear I’ve been harboring for this board meeting, but I can only deal with one situation at a time.

“Do you need anything from me?”

“Not at this time, but…”

Thebutmakes me freeze. “But what?”

“But we’ll likely need to hire an expert to submit supplemental affidavits to my motion and to testify at any motion hearing.”

Dollar signs flash before my eyes the same way they did when Attorney Fields first told me his retainer fee. No one tells you how much it costs when you need a good lawyer—probably for good reason. The numbers alone are enough to put you into an early grave, or at the very least, the poorhouse. Where I, unfortunately, already was.

“Can that come out of the retainer I’ve already paid you?”

“Unfortunately, as we discussed when we met in person, there’s always the potential for additional expenses. The expert’s fee is one of them that would need to be paid separately.”

Shit.Shit. Shit.

I squeeze my eyes closed and try to suck in a deep breath before I start panicking. The less than $500 I have in my bank account after paying Attorney Fields is unlikely to get me anywhere with the kind of legal expert he’s talking about, which means I’m right back to where I started before I signed my contract with Silas. “Okay. Do whatever you have to do, and I’ll figure something out to get you any fees.”

“All right.” His voice softens slightly. “Just keep having faith, Lyla.”

“I will.”

I end the call, knowing I just told him a lie.

It’s hard to have faith when everything seems to be spinning out of control, not only with Silas but now with Attorney Fields needing additional funds I certainly don’t have and can’t get.

I can’t ask Silas for more money.

The terms of the contract were very clear—I don’t get anything else for another year, and even if he were willing to give it to me, thisisn’tthe time to bring it up to him.

Not when he’s about to have a showdown with his uncle.

My gaze drifts down to the very obvious bruises on my forearm from Marty’s harsh grip.

It simultaneously feels like weeks ago and only hours ago.

The memory of my fear still as real now as it was then.

I slip my phone into my back jeans pocket and resume my pacing, glancing at the door every few moments for any signs of Silas. It’s been well over an hour since he disappeared into the bedroom, saying he needed some time alone. Given how anxious he was the entire drive, I can’t help but worry about what he’s doing in there and if he’s all right.

The man has lived alone for a very long time and isn’t used to having someone with him every waking moment. I’ve been trying to give him his personal space, but I also know how deep Silas can get in his own head. With the board meeting tomorrow, I can’t risk him getting lost in there.

I make my way over to the door and knock on it lightly. “Silas, are you all right?” I press my ear against the door, listening for any signs of what he might be doing, but only silence greets me. “Silas, I’m coming in.”

My hand shakes on the knob, and I turn it slowly, nudging open the door and stepping into the elegant hotel bedroom. The massive king-sized bed occupies the middle of the large space, and Whiskey lifts his head from where he lies in the middle of it, tail wagging when he sees me. My small suitcase rests on the floor next to it, and the duffel bag Silas threw his clothes in sits beside it.

But there’s no sign of him.

“Silas?” His name echoes through the room, and I head for the bed to pet Whiskey. “Where’s your dad?”

He tilts his head and looks toward the closed door to the ensuite bathroom.

I walk over to it and knock lightly. “Silas?”

He doesn’t answer, but I twist the knob and start to push open the door.

“Don’t come in.”

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