Page 28 of Mine to Keep

“I like that you’re happy, but I don’t think you’re putting the same time or attention to our business as you were before she was here, and I can see it’s affected.”

“How?” Roland tried to keep his tone calm.

“A few men have called me and told me they have tried to arrange a meeting with you, but you’re always busy. You spend a lot of time with your wife, and although that’s nice, I can’t have you neglecting the business. A hundred people depend on you.”

Roland studied his father’s expression and didn’t like the closed look, as if he was trying to hide something or keep something from him.

“I can tell you with all certainty that I am in full control of the company. If you look at the latest figures, you can see we’re making more money now than a year ago.”

Warren frowned. “Yes, I understand, and I’m thrilled you’ve taken over most of the work, but you can’t ignore thepeople we need to keep the company going. I just want you to think about it.”

Roland nodded and watched his father walk out of his office. He sat back and tried to think of any work he’d not been able to finish because of spending time with his wife. Although there were a few instances where he could have returned phone calls or other correspondence with people sooner, he hadn’t thought it made a difference.

He decided to take a few days to think about it. He’d spend more time in his office and try to keep her at arm’s length for the time being. Deep inside of him, he knew his father was up to something, but for his life, he couldn’t figure out what it was.

Now, as he lay in bed with his wife sleeping beside him, he could see where she thought he didn’t care and was cold to her, and he wasn’t going to continue to doubt himself. If his father had a problem with his marriage, he could stay out of the house and away from them because there was no way he was going to continue to hurt his sweet wife. She was already a big part of him, and he didn’t want to change a thing.

Thinking about the incident earlier, Roland held her tightly against his chest and closed his eyes. He’d had too many shocks in the last hour. First, he sees the man’s hands on her and then walks into their bedroom to see her packing to leave him.

The man who had touched his wife would pay dearly. Roland didn’t kill people, but he could ruin them, and Julian was about to find out. The Society had so many professional people or experts in their field that there was nothing they couldn’t accomplish.

He should have known the man would be a problem. The few times he’d been in their vicinity, he’d stared at Laila. The thought that he would take it as far as he did never entered his mind. He had to have known Roland wouldn’t allow him to get away with it.

Roland was going to have the man investigated through the Society and see what they came up with because he didn’t trust him at all. Now, he planned to make it up to Laila and show her how much he really cared about her so she would never question it again.

Chapter Thirteen

Laila sat reading in a chair next to one of the windows and called out when she heard a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

Her father-in-law poked his head in and smiled. She wasn’t sure about the man. He always seemed chipper, but she always felt an underlying sensation of menace when she was around him.

“Hello, Laila.”

She set her book down. “Hi, Warren. Can I help you?”

“Oh, I hope so. May I come in?”

“Sure.” Fortunately, he kept the door open, so she felt safer.

“I have a benefit for the children’s hospital tonight, and my date for tonight canceled. I was wondering if you’d go with me?”

Her eyes widened. That was something she never would have guessed. “Oh, well. Roland will be home soon. He said he was in a meeting, so I’m not sure.”

“It’s taking longer than he thought,” Warren said.

Her brows puckered. Why hadn’t Roland called her and told her that? “How formal is it?”

“You’ll need a full-length dress, and I have to wear my tux. Do you have something you can wear?” he asked.

She thought about the things she brought with her and nodded. “Yes.”

“Can you be ready in thirty minutes? I know it’s last-minute…” His voice trailed off.

She’d already showered and blow-dried her hair. All she needed to do was get dressed and put on a bit of makeup.

“I can be ready.”

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