Page 85 of Revelation (Love Isn't What It Seems 3)

Daniel smiled and extended his hand. “You never disappoint, Layla.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Why do I feel like you are always testing me?”

Daniel chuckled. “Probably because you are right.”

“No wonder I thought you were scary when I met you,” Layla mumbled. “Handsome but scary.”

I groaned. “That is a wrong thing to say to Daniel. Now his ego will inflate, and it was so big already.”

Layla’s melodious laugh had both of us looking at her. I couldn’t remember hearing Layla laugh so carefree for as long as I’ve known her. My chest warmed at the sound, like it was my own enchantment.

“I could deflate it,” she offered.

“Please don’t, doll.” Daniel grinned, enjoying himself. “Because I have some good news. Should I tell her, Maxim, or do you want to tell her?”

She glanced confused between him and I.

“I told you I haven’t asked her yet,” I told him. Daniel could sometimes be such a manipulative jerk. But not even that could spoil my mood. I couldn’t wait to see her face when we told her.

“Ask me what?”

“Shall I?” Daniel inquired.

“You might as well, since my woman agreed to move in with me,” I grinned, wrapping my arms around her.

“Must have been some night,” Daniel retorted, smiling. “So Layla, Maxim and I would like to offer you a partnership.”

“Huh?”

“You mentioned to me during our interview that you wanted to start a nonprofit foundation for troubled teens. Yes, it has been only a few weeks, but you know what you are doing in this business. Obviously Maxim and I don’t, but we have the capital.”

She stared at both of us, and I had no idea what ran through that pretty head of hers.

“I told you, neither Daniel nor I are good with nonprofit stuff. We only seem to be capable of running profitable businesses. And this would be a good tax deduction for our businesses too. Would you want to go in three ways and start a new foundation?”

“Are you serious?” Her eyes darted back and forth between Daniel and I.

“Yes, dead serious,” Daniel answered.

Then she frowned. “It's already awkward enough that I'm working for you and my grandfather is about to be put away for stealing from your foundation. And now you want to start another one where I'm a partner?"

“Like I told you, it has nothing to do with you. Besides, barely anyone even knows of your connection with them since you kept your distance.” It would take time, but I knew Layla would eventually see that her grandparents’ sins were not hers.

“Holy shit,” Layla muttered.

“Is that good holy shit or bad holy shit?” Daniel inquired. I wanted to know too because I wasn’t quite sure at this moment.

She grinned and a sigh of relief left me.

“It’s a good holy shit,” she replied, her eyes sparkling happily. “It is just weird. Just yesterday as I was leaving the bank with that damn money for the blackmailer, I wished it would all go away, and I could do something meaningful. And you two just handed it to me.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say we handed it to you,” Daniel reminded her, smiling.

She threw herself at Daniel, hugging him. “Thank you.” The initial surprise on his face was priceless, but then he grinned.

“I think she likes me,” he bragged.

Before jealousy could set in, she left his arms and threw herself at me. “I swear, Maxim. I think you might be my lucky charm.”

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