Page 22 of The Exposed Heiress

“Emma?”

She met his gaze. “I don’t know. Everything seemed so much clearer back on your terrace.”

“Maybe you should work offsite. There must be a thousand memories in this office.”

She looked out the window. “Most of them stressful.”

Leo walked over and poured himself some whiskey. “Now is not the time to lose it. Compartmentalize. Your father is receiving the best care possible and you haven’t heard there is an issue with coverage. Put that aside. We need to come up with a plan for staffing and then let everyone know.”

“Just put it aside?” Her voice sounded shrill to her own ears.

He put down his glass and strode over to her. Without saying anything, he pulled her into his arms.

Emma closed her eyes and tried to calm herself down. Her throat ached and her eyes filled with tears. She took in a deep breath to calm her reaction.

He whispered to her, “Things have a way of working out,” and his fingers lightly traced down her spine.

Her tears began to fall. “Not always.”

He held her tightly. “Things will work out. Francis Bolles enjoys an enormous following. You’re a brilliant designer. We need to lower expenses and increase profits. It’s not that hard.”

Emma stepped back and used her hands to wipe the tears from her cheeks. “We’re suggesting big changes. Employees will be out of work. The building will be gone.”

Leo stood still. “We’ve discussed this. If we do nothing, Francis Bolles falls into bankruptcy.”

Her stomach hurt. “Why are you willing to take all of this on? There’s no guarantee that you’ll get paid.”

He shrugged. “Your father helped me out long ago and I’m repaying that kindness.”

A shiver ran down her spine. She needed to keep her wits about her, or she could make a massive mistake. “My father isn’t particularly well-liked or understood. He doesn’t go around performing random acts of kindness.”

He looked away. “I didn’t say it was random.”

Emma held her hands against her stomach. “What did he do for you?”

He met her gaze. “You can ask him when he regains his health.”

She threw her hands up. “No. I need to hear it from you. If we’re going to trust each other, then we have to share something about ourselves.”

He picked up his glass of whiskey. “It’s private.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Does it concern Tyler?”

Taking a sip, he said, “Enough with the questions. Let’s work on a plan for future staffing.”

Emma put her hand on the back of her neck. “I can’t until I know why you’re willing to deal with these issues.”

Emma waited for him to gather his thoughts.

Leo sat down on a leather chair. “Your father has been friends with my Uncle Harvey since their university days.”

Emma nodded but stayed silent. His expression looked pained. She had met Harvey many times. He was odd.

“My uncle started a small advertising business, but it floundered. He suffered from an anxiety disorder and often refused to leave his house.”

“I’ve met your Uncle Harvey on a few occasions.”

Leo leaned back. “He told your dad about the precarious position that his nephews were in. That his brother had disappeared and left his wife alone with two small boys.”

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