Page 31 of Claimed By the Boss

Lawson and Esther bothturned to Gabriel. He shrugged.

“Well, it’s getting waytoo warm out here. Come on. I’ll go and get some lemonade,” Esther said.

They stepped insideGabriel’s home, and Nora felt so out of place. She felt her hands go clammy.

“It’s good to haveyouback,” Lawson said. “I’m going to help Esther with thedrinks. Lovely to meet you, Nora.”

She watched as Lawson leftand she turned toward Gabriel. “They hate me.”

He laughed. “They don’thate you. They’re … not happy with me.”

Nora frowned. “How is thatpossible?”

“I’ve never brought anyonehome. You’re the first person I have, and you work for me.” He shrugged.

“You never mentioned aboutyour grandfather having an adoptive brother.” She thought he only had Trudylooking out for him.

“Lawson was mygrandfather’s best friend when they were boys. From what I know, he didn’t havea great time of it, and then my great-grandfather adopted him, and raised himas his son. My grandfather and Lawson were best friends, but Lawson refused totake any inheritance. I think my great-grandfather knew his son would take careof him. He and Esther are childhood sweethearts.”

“And they live here?”

He nodded. “Yeah, mygrandfather wouldn’t have it any other way, and when my grandmother was alive,she was best friends with Esther. It worked for them. Of course, my dad triedto get them kicked out, which is why my grandfather handed over control of theestate to me.”

His parents really were apiece of work.

“In all honesty, Lawsonshould have gotten control of the business, but he waived all rights to it,which is why it ended up belonging to my father.”

“Wow,” Nora said.

“He trusted his bestfriend, and he’s family to me,” Gabriel said.

She liked that he did havepeople who were willing to look out for him. She reached out and took hishands.

“I like them.”

“Did you know they’re bothin their eighties?” Gabriel asked.

“What? I thought they weresixties, max,” Nora said.

Gabriel shook his head.

“We’ve lived a good life,”Lawson said. “And we have a healthy diet, and a lot of love.”

Esther chuckled. “We donot need to be telling them about our love life, Lawson. Now, let me talk withGabriel, because I need to know how serious this is.”

Gabriel laughed. “Esther,come on. I’ve only just gotten back home.”

“And we are about to talkin private. We’ll be back.”

Nora felt panic risinginside her. Gabriel looked at her and winked. “I’ll be right back.”

She was about to be leftalone with Lawson, and she had a horrible feeling neither of them liked her.Her hands were still clammy and she felt sick to her stomach.

“Don’t worry aboutanything. Esther is just going to question him and make sure everything is …aboveboard,” Lawson said.

“I’m not after his money,”Nora said. She didn’t know why she just blurted that out, but it felt importantto do so.

“You’re not? You know heis a wealthy man, and I do believe once he marries, that also allows himunlimited access to his inheritance.”

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