Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 561(@200wpm)___ 449(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 561(@200wpm)___ 449(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
Today, however, his visitor was a handsome Black man in a pin-striped business suit whom she recognized as Amy’s husband. Maynard was saying something about share prices when she walked in, while Jeffrey looked at a bound stack of papers and nodded. Both froze when she walked in.
She grinned. “You’re safe. I won’t rat you out to Gwendolyn.”
Maynard’s returning grin was quick, wide, and held a warmth that embraced her. Yeah, she could see why her half sister had fallen for him. At first, she’d worried that Amy had gone for a hard-charging type like their father, but from what little she’d learned of Maynard, it seemed that while he was driven and ambitious, he had a temperament that was diametrically opposed to the Jeffrey with whom Amy had grown up.
She’d caught this man snuggling Amy in the hospital corridor, seen how he looked at his wife when they were together, witnessed his open affection with his children. It turned out he’d even tried to work from home as much as he could while Amy was at the hospital. He hadn’t wanted their young children missing both Mom and Dad.
From all outward appearances, he was a gentler, kinder father than Jeffrey had been to Amy and Eve.
Just because Elena loved her father didn’t mean she was willing to gloss over his faults.
“Phew.” Maynard wiped his brow. “Gwen threatened to call my mama last time around so she could chew me out.”
Jeffrey shot his son-in-law a look of wry amusement. “I’d tell you to grow a spine—except I’m relieved that Ellie’s not ratting me out, either. So we can be scared of my wife together.”
Maynard and Elena both laughed before Maynard picked up his briefcase and took the bound document from Jeffrey. “Getting rid of the evidence,” he said with a wink. “No dummies here.”
“I knew I liked you for a reason,” Jeffrey said.
Elena smiled, amused at both of them. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“No, we were almost done,” her father said. “Making plans for further empire building under Maynard’s watch.”
Maynard closed up the briefcase. “When don’t you want to build further, Jeffrey? But seriously, thank you for the vote of confidence on the deal.”
“You earned it.”
Walking over after exchanging a quick handshake with Jeffrey, Maynard paused awkwardly. “I usually kiss Beth and Eve on the cheek, but since we’re not quite there . . .”
She shook the hand he held out, liking him more with each second that passed. After he left, she closed the door behind him and said, “Is he as good a husband and father as he seems to me?”
“Better.” Jeffrey’s expression turned somber. “He’s like I used to be once.”
A heaviness on her chest. She tried to dispel it with humor, not ready to go there yet. “Is he sneaking in every day?”
“No, the nurses snitch to her,” Jeffrey muttered. “She could see I was losing my mind lying here vegetating. Today’s visit wasn’t planned, but I do have some work privileges now.”
Outward grumbling, but no actual anger from a man who’d never taken orders from anyone. Elena had the haunting realization that he was more tired than he let on. A fact apparent right then, as he lowered his bed to a full recline. “Do you mind if I rest a bit before we talk, Ellie? This blasted heart attack did a number on me.”
“Of course I don’t mind.” She fluffed up his pillow.
He was asleep by the time she took a seat in the special chair Izak had flown in for her from the Tower. According to Dionne, the youngest member of her Guard had caused quite the stir when he walked into the hospital—all golden curls and square jaw, his eyes a sweetheart blue, Izzy was young and pretty and shy when it came to attention.
“Oh, that boy blushed bright pink when several of the nurses smiled and waved at him. A few even forgot they got men waiting on them at home.”
No one had dared ask for his number, but Elena didn’t think the distance would last should Izzy become a repeat visitor—poor Izzy despaired of it, but he just didn’t give off a scary vibe.
“It’ll come,” Dmitri had said to him one time, his hand gripping Izak’s shoulder. “I wasn’t the least bit scary as an infant, either.”
“I am not an infant.” Izzy had scowled.
“Clearly not. I must be mistaken to remember you in diapers.”
Dmitri was an asshole, but he could be fucking hilarious. Elena’d had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop from bursting out in laughter at the appalled look on Izak’s face. “You do not remember me in diapers!”
“Oh, no? Ask your father sometime who babysat you when they had to fly from the Refuge for two weeks for an emergency family matter.”
“Well, it can’t have been you!” Izak had protested. “You were Raphael’s second back then, too! Seconds don’t have time to babysit!”