Page 93 of Provoke You

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All the Mornings in the World

Ela

I tossed my suit blazer on the chair in the corner of the living room. This safe house was really starting to grow on me. Too bad we had to leave it.

“How are you doing?” Matt asked.

I had no idea. I should be sad, but I wasn’t. I wasn’t even scared anymore. Maybe what happened at the courthouse hadn’t set in yet. “I’m somewhere between numb and relieved. Is that a thing?”

“Today was a big day for you.”

“I feel sorry for him.” I pressed my cheek to his and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Let’s go upstairs.”

“Hey, Boss. A word?” Kitt walked into the living room.

If he could hear us, why did he interrupt us? “I’m sure he can wait.” I clutched Matt’s shirt.

“They’re leaving.” He touched the back of his hand to my cheek. “Ten minutes. I promise.”

I nodded and walked into the kitchen. When I sat on the barstool, both Ben and Jennifer barged into the house. A minute of peace was too much to ask.

“Ela?” Jennifer called out from the living room.

“In here.” I rose to my feet and hugged her.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do.”

“It’s all right. I wasn’t ready to hear the truth about Dad. Better late than never, I guess.” I plopped myself down on the barstool, stuffing my hair behind my ear. “What now? I’m not ready to do any of this.”

“You’re not alone. You have me, and Ben.” She waved at Ben who had already set up shop on the kitchen counter. More papers to sign and decisions to make. “First thing will be to appoint an interim CEO, someone to run things until you come up to speed. Take all the time you need.”

“Okay, that one is easy. You.”

Jennifer barked out a nervous laugh and beamed at me. “Yeah. Okay. I can do that. Ben has agreed to stay on as well until the inheritance issue has been resolved.”

“I want Dad, or Andre, out today.” He didn’t deserve to sit in Gran’s office for another minute. “Do you think his so-called investors would be willing to sell me the Baroness?”

“I knew you’d say that.” Jennifer sprang into action the way she always had for Dad as his chief of staff. She’d already had Ben draw up an offer. Based on what she knew about them, she was certain she could get them to let go of the property. For a price, of course.

“I’ll pay anything. Before the sale, I started talking to our usual contractor. The fire damage in the kitchen is extensive, but he thinks he can have us back in business within twelve weeks. Provided he’s allowed in. Andre’s guys wouldn’t let him in after the sale went through.” That would be another challenge, weeding through the personnel to figure out who was still loyal to Dad. “Jennifer, do you think you can put together a list of Dad’s people.”

“See? You’re getting the hang of it. I’ll bring you a list. I wouldn’t worry too much about it, though. Once it’s confirmed that Andre doesn’t have control over LB Industries, his allies will disperse quickly.”

“Thank you.”

Matt came into the kitchen and leaned on the doorframe. If it weren’t for him, I never would have survived this. He stuck by me even when he didn’t have to. His smile sent a shock of adrenaline all the way down to my toes. Jennifer continued with her long laundry list of things she wanted me to weigh in on. But I’d had enough for one day.

“Jennifer, one more favor,” I interrupted her monologue. “I’d like to open the LeBlanc house. I love my cottage at the Baroness, but if I’m going to have all of you following me around while I get acclimated, I’m going to need a bigger house. A much bigger house.”

Her gaze followed my line of sight, and her mouth formed an o. Finally, she got the point. “Gotcha. Um.” She turned to Ben. “Ben, why don’t we finish this up in the office. I think she’s given us enough to go on.”

“I’ll see you both in the office tomorrow. Bright and early. Like around nine or ten.” I walked around the counter and hugged Ben. “Thank you again for coming to help me. It would’ve been a real shame to lose the Baroness.”

“I always knew you’d come around.” He winked, then quickly collected all his folders. How he was able to keep track of so much paper was beyond me.

I closed the door behind me after Jennifer and Ben left, and turned to find Matt, Chase, and Kitt staring at me.

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