Page 82 of Ruthless Heir

She narrows her eyes with the scrutiny of a lawyer. “Yet he asked you to take care of the same sister?”

“He was desperate and he knew…”

“That you’re loyal to a fault and you wouldn’t touch her,” she fills in giving me a knowing look.

“Something like that.”

“Asher, there’s a time in life when you can’t allow people to tell you what to do. Or stop yourself from doing something just because it will upset your best friend.”

“I know. I’m not normally like this but Josh is like another brother to me.”

“I understand, but if you don’t mind me saying so I’m sure you would have been a better fit for his sister than her ex.”

Of course she looked up Harper’s background. “When did you go digging around?”

“Five minutes after I met her and realized you were smitten.” She chuckles. “But I’m right. Aren’t I?”

“Yes. You’re right.”

She’s not telling me anything I haven’t thought before. Josh practically sang Nick’s praises when he and Harper first got together. All I heard was how good Nick was for her and how in love they were. It felt like Josh was rubbing it in.

When he’d issued his warning he said Harper could do better than me. Nick was supposed to be testament of that. Until he wasn’t.

Josh could barely look me in the eye when he told me how Nick murdered those people and about all the things he put Harper through. I felt he only told me as much as he did because he needed someone he trusted to talk to.

“I think it’s food for thought.” Layla nods. “All of it. And that’s all I’m saying.”

There’s so much food for thought going around in my head I’ll be able to feed a small country by the time this is over.

“Anything else you need me to do?” she asks straightening up.

“Just the job training. I need you to teach Harper whatever you think she needs to learn. Block out a few hours a day in your schedule to accommodate whatever time you need. But that doesn’t mean taking the day off to go shopping at NeimanMarcus.” She’s done that before. And I’m sure she’ll find some loophole in what I just said so she can do it again.

Layla gives me a guilty smile and a wink. “Gotcha.”

There’s a knock at the door.

“Come in,” I call out.

The door opens and my father walks in. He’s come just like I predicted and the proud smile plastered across his face makes me feel guilty for the lie I’ve led him to believe.

I feel bad, but at the same time I can’t overlook the fact that he was being stubborn, demanding, and blind when it came to Portia. This plan is the only thing that’s given me some clarity to focus. Now I feel like I can do everything I need to do.

Layla gives me a cautious look before she stands and acknowledges my father with one of her dazzling smiles. “Morning Preston, I’m about to do a coffee run. Do you want me to grab you a cappuccino?”

“I would absolutely love that, dear,” Father replies.

Layla glances back at me with a wish for good luck in her eyes before she leaves.

As soon as she’s out the door, Father steps forward with a full-blown smile.

“I just wanted to drop by and let you know how happy I am with your decision to pick Harper.” The last time I saw him look so happy was when Hunter and Luna told him they were having a baby.

“I’m glad I’ve made you happy.”

“Absolutely. You’ve made an excellent choice. I’m glad that you two were able to get together. It’s not often that I admit that I’m wrong but if I’d known Harper was an option I would never have suggested Portia.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” God knows how much I am. If nothing else I can take pleasure in knowing that I’ve thwartedthe Fairchilds attempts to get a piece of our empire. All I have to do now is stop Nigel and Nolan from getting on the board.

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