Page 8 of Two Steps Ahead

She pulled back, taking a seat. Leo sat in the chair next to her instead of going back around his desk.

“You should have just taken me straight home rather than bring me here from the airport, Dad.”

Leo didn’t even pretend to be repentant. “It was late, and you know how I already feel about you living in that house alone.”

She swallowed a weary sigh. “We’ve been over this before.”

“I know we have. But things have changed with my business. I’m dealing with some dangerous people and I would like for you to consider having live-in security until the merger is finished.”

“Your business is always dangerous. That has been true for as long as I can remember. So my answer is still no.”

She’d learned over the years to make a firm stance from the beginning.

“Live-in security would be the best thing for you.” Jasper took a step forward. “I’m willing to take on the assignment myself, if that will make you feel any more comfortable.”

She knew her smile was completely false but there was nothing she could do about it. “No, thank you.”

There was no way Jasper was going to be her live-in security. He and all the little clones he’d hired were part of the problem. But it was more than that.

She refused to give up her freedom, refused to have someone living in her shadow twenty-four hours a day. It would drive her crazy. Her privacy and independence were too hard-won and too important.

“You’re just being stubborn,” Jasper said.

Her fake smile slid away. “I’m not being stubborn. I’m a grown woman, and I have the right to live the way I want to.”

“You know what? She’s right,” Leo said.

Both her and Jasper’s heads spun around to look at him.

“What are you up to?” she asked. “You’ve never given up a fight that easily in your entire life.”

Leo let out a little chuckle. “Maybe I finally realize that arguing with you is pointless.”

“Probably because I learned how to argue from you.” She couldn’t help but smile at her dad. He drove her crazy sometimes, and she knew his business practices were questionable at best, but she loved him.

Plus, his agreement with her made Jasper mad, so double bonus.

“How about if we compromise?” Leo said.

Her eyes narrowed. “Depends on your definition of ‘compromise.’”

“You don’t have any photography assignments for the next couple of weeks, right?” he asked.

“That’s correct.”

“What if I don’t insist on any sort of live-in security—” Leo held out a hand to silence Jasper, who was obviously about to argue the opposite “—but you agree to stay in one of the family estates until this crazy merger I’m working on is over.”

“Two weeks?”

He nodded. “Three at the most. After that, things should be much more settled.”

Kayleigh studied her father through narrowed eyes. She’d learned over the years not to ask for details regarding his businesses. If he was really this concerned for her safety, then this merger must involve some truly questionable people.

“Fine. I’ll stay at the Lake Austin house. Will that work?”

“Yes, that will work well,” Leo concurred.

Jasper immediately excused himself. “I need to go check on a few things around the house, sir, if that’s okay?”

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