Page 51 of Claimed by Him

She raised an eyebrow. “Because I knew you wouldn’t let me die in peace. You’d nag me into getting treatment and spoil all of my plans.”

“Plans to end up here?” I gestured around her. The room wasn’t bad, as far as hospital rooms went, but that was beside the point.

“Plans to go on with my normal life for as long as possible,” she said. “Now, how have things been going with your cases? Mr. Larsen came in with you. Does that mean there’s a break?”

“Adare, we don’t need to talk about the cases.”

“Yes, we do.” Her expression sobered. “Burkart Investigations is my legacy, Rona. I want to know how it’s been doing.”

How was I supposed to say no to that?

The answer was, I couldn’t.

Even though I would’ve preferred to talk about extending her life, I told her about the work I’d done on Jenna’s case so far, and about everything that had happened with Jalen’s case. Well, almost everything. She didn’t need to know about the personal stuff.

“And that’s all?” she asked when I finished. “No other reason that Mr. Larsen is out hunting down some water for me?” Her dark eyes sparkled.

“I don’t know what it is,” I answered honestly. “There’s something between us, but we haven’t had time to really explore exactly what.”

“He’s very attractive.”

I flushed. “Seriously? That’s where the conversation is going now?”

She smiled, then sucked in a breath, pain creasing her face.

“Adare?” I stood up, reached for her, then stopped, not knowing what to do. “I’ll get someone.”

“No.” She reached out a hand to stop me. “It’s okay. It’ll pass.”

“Adare, please, let me help you.”

She gestured for me to sit down. I didn’t want to, but again, I knew better than to push her. I sat.

“I’m asking for your help,” she said. “I have family, but I’m not close to them. My attorney has letters to send to them, explaining things. I won’t be asking you to talk to them.”

I leaned forward, my heart picking up speed just a bit. “But there is something you’re asking of me.”

“There is.” Pain twisted her pretty features again, and I waited until it passed. “I’ve made all the arrangements for after I’m gone. What I want done. It’s all written down, along with all of the receipts and contact information. Everything’s been paid for.”

This couldn’t be real. She couldn’t be talking about her death like it was nothing more than an event that needed planning.

“My will is there too, in the fireproof box in the bottom drawer of the far-right file cabinet in the office. The business is yours.”

I shook my head. Waited for the words to make sense. Then shook it again when they didn’t. “What are you talking about?”

“Burkart Investigations. It’s yours. When I interviewed you, I wasn’t looking for an employee or even a partner. I wanted someone who could take over, who could keep things going after I was gone.” She smiled at me. “I haven’t known you long, but I feel like you’d take care of it better than anyone else.”

I wanted to tell her that I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t be what she wanted me to be, who she wanted me to be. I’d tried to make my mother proud, and I’d fucked that up. I’d do the same with what Adare wanted of me. I’d let her down. Ruin everything she’d worked for, spent her life on.

“Six months,” she said. “I only asked for six months in my will. After that, you can sell it, liquidate it, or whatever you want.”

I stared at her, waiting for her to laugh and tell me this was all some terrible joke. But her gaze was steady as she waited for me to process it all.

“Okay,” I finally agreed.

She smiled. “Was that so difficult?”

Before I could respond, Jalen appeared with a jug of water, grinning that charming grin of his. “I come bearing libations.”

She looked at me. “Oh, he’s a keeper.”

I looked at him, and something in me twisted sharp and bright.

That’s what I was afraid of.

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