Page 36 of Jael

“That’s the last thing I want.”

Jael took a sip. “What did you end up telling my dad?”

“That I was sure I’d find dirt on you. He was relieved.”

“I’ll bet he was. There’s plenty to find in my past, but I’m afraid you won’t find much now.”

“I know.”

They looked at each other for a long moment. Jael was the first to look down at her drink before she sipped it. “How was the rest of your day? I lost track of you after I left Heber industries.”

“That’s because I wasn’t following you anymore.”

“Too bad. You missed all the good stuff.”

It was the first time Danny saw a twinkle in her eye.

His face dropped in mock disappointment. “I can’t believe it. Your dad is going to kill me.”

“Better him than me.”

“I don’t know. Are you two really that different?” He saw something like remorse pass across her face. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to?—”

“No. It’s fine. It’s been a long day.”

“You looked upset when you left Heber Industries.”

“You saw me?”

“I saw you drive out. I’m pretty sure you broke the law with your speed.”

She shrugged. “Same old stuff in different packaging, that’s all.” She took another sip and looked at him over the rim of the glass, blinking against the bubbles. “My life has been a series of bad times.”

“What about Vita Nova?”

“What about it?”

“Doesn’t it bring you joy?”

“It should. It comes close, but it’s been hard to run it. Besides the constant groveling for money, I see those women and what they’ve been through. Yes. I’m glad I can help them, but there’s so much pain in the world and the little that I do isn’t much.”

Her eyes shifted and Danny turned to see Christopher walk over to speak to Gregory and Artus at the fireplace. “I don’t think my dad wants to let go,” she said.

“Of you?”

“That goes without saying. But no, I was referring to his business. He’s a man who survives off control. My guess is the new man running the show doesn’t want my dad interfering. They have other uses for the business, I’m sure. They don’t want him getting in the way.”

“You think they’ll use Heber the same way they use Jabin Enterprises?”

“I can’t think of any other reason Christopher would have agreed to take the position. He’s not the type to want to be tied down.”

“Maybe it was because he expected to get you in the deal.”

She laughed with her mouth full of soda and almost choked on it.

“You don’t think he likes you?” Danny said.

“I’m sure he likes the look of me, but not the brains or the attitude. Like I said, he doesn’t like to be tied down.”

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