Page 42 of Guarded King

And I’m happy with that.

I took my shot at something different years ago and failed spectacularly. So I’ll leave the love and the babies to Cole and Tate. I’ll be the one who makes sure our company stays strong.

For them and the families they’re making.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ROMAN

I’m scrolling through the financial news headlines on my phone as Phillip navigates the car through the early-morning traffic when a message notification pops up.

Chloe.

Seeing her name jolts through me, sharp and unexpected, but I shove the sensation aside. She’s been my assistant for just over a month, and this is the first time she’s messaged me outside of work hours.

I swipe it open.

Good morning, Roman. I’m so sorry, but I’ll be late in this morning. My dad’s having a flare-up, and I need to take him to see his doctor.

A swift rush of concern tightens my grip on the phone. It’s just her and her dad. Does she need help?

Without thinking too hard about what I’m doing or why, I respond.

Is he okay?

He’s in a lot of pain. I’ve given him some medicine, but his doctor can give him steroid injections. I’ll be in once he’s feeling better.

How are you getting him there?

I’ll call an Uber.

Clenching the phone tight, I survey the traffic surrounding me. I have a busy morning as usual. Calls and meetings back-to-back until lunch. But…

What’s your address? Phillip and I will pick you up.

The three gray dots appear, disappear, then reappear. She’s probably figuring out how to turn me down. It’s obvious she’s used to handling things on her own.

Much like the night she first told me about her dad, the idea of her shouldering that responsibility alone stirs an unfamiliar mix of emotions inside me.

Finally, her message pops up.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

Her address follows.

Considering how long it took her to reply, I’m sure it was difficult for her to accept my offer. It’s better she did, though. I can’t imagine she’d appreciate it if I got her address from HR and turned up at her front door.

I lean forward and tell Phillip about the change in plans, then sit back in my seat and determinedly avoid thinking about why checking in on Chloe is suddenly more important than my tightly packed schedule.

Twenty minutes later we pull up outside an older but well-maintained apartment complex.

Phillip turns to me. “You want me to go in and get them.”

“No. I’ll go.”

I ignore his raised brows as I climb out. The entrance to the building is plain, with a short flight of steps leading to double doors, one of which has been propped open.

I scowl at it. So much for any kind of security.

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