Secret Obsession (Cordova Empire Book 3) by Ann Mayburn

Author:Ann Mayburn [Mayburn, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Honey Mountain Publishing
Published: 2019-09-29T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Mark

I placed a kiss on Layla’s forehead before extending my arm to Pat. “Why don’t we talk on the patio.”

Taking him out one of the French doors on the opposite side of the room, I led Pat over to a grouping of pale cream outdoor furniture surrounding an unlit, tiled firepit.

He moved a few steps so he could have a clear view of the big windows then said, “Have you found anything out about the men who burned my daughter’s house down?”

I tried to keep my expression neutral. “What are you talking about?”

His dark, bloodshot eyes were fierce as they met mine. “Don’t bullshit me. I know people, too. I may not be a Cordova, but I am on the Scottsdale City Council. I’m aware of the power players in this town. My sources tell me that the Cordova Cart—Corporation has leant its considerable assets to the investigation. That seemed odd to me for a house fire, so after a few phone calls, I learned that it wasn’t an accident with her welder, but arson. Possibly attempted murder.” His voice shook as he said, “Someone tried to kill Layla, didn’t they?”

There was no use lying to Pat. He knew, and if I tried to bullshit him, I’d lose whatever respect we’d built between us over the years. In a lot of ways, he reminded me of my dad. They were both fiercely protective of their children. While Pat might not be Layla’s biological father, he was—as Layla often called him—the father of her heart.

Conscious of Leo probably listening in on our conversation via his surveillance system, or at least recording it, I carefully said, “We’re not sure, but it is looking that way.”

“Why? Why would anyone target her? She’s the nicest person on this godforsaken planet.”

“We don’t know, but we’re looking into it. I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you anything more than that.”

He looked like he wanted to argue with me, but he blew out a harsh breath. “And you think you can keep her safe?”

“I know it.”

Abruptly his shoulders dropped. “You have no idea how happy I am that Layla was with you last night. I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but for these past few weeks she’s been struggling. Are you serious about her?”

“I’d ask her to marry me today, if I thought she’d say yes.”

His bushy salt and pepper eyebrows flew up. “Just like that? One night together, and suddenly you want to marry her?”

“No, my feelings for her didn’t happen overnight. We’ve been friends, best friends, for three years now. After the loss of my wife…I needed some time to get my head back on straight. When Layla and I met, neither of us were in the right space to have a relationship. Both of us had a lot of growing to do.”

“Is that why you kept standing her up?”

“That’s between Layla and me, but she knows my reasons why.”

“And she’s forgiven you?”

“Kind of…” I rubbed at my beard. “She’s a little mad at me still, but I’m working on making things right.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.