The Red Herring by Calia Read

Author:Calia Read [Read, Calia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ASA

February 1916 ✥ 4 years ago

“Is there somethin' we can do to change your mind, Asa?”

Sitting across from Robert and Oliver Claiborne, I crossed one leg over the other and leaned back in my chair. I’d explained Étienne and my reasoning in straightforward terms. I saw no reason to mince my words. It wasted time, and the longer I was here in Savannah, the more irritated I grew.

I could feel Nathalie's presence. Any time she was close by, I felt her. And seeing her right then would be the worst decision I could make.

Don't do it. Don't go to her.

“Asa?”

Rapidly, I blinked Robert into focus and found him and Oliver staring at me. Clearing my throat, I placed my foot on the floor and rested my elbows on my knees. “There's nothin' you can do. Étienne and I believe this is for the best.”

“We've had an upstandin' business relationship for years.”

“We have,” I agreed.

“Can I ask what has changed?”

Briefly, my eyes rested upon Oliver, before they turned back to Robert. “We have simply decided to take our business elsewhere.”

In an act of good faith, Étienne and I had opened an account at Robert's bank when Nathalie and Oliver became engaged. We did frequent business in Savannah, and it made sense to have an account in Savannah. Why not support the Claibornes, Nathalie's future family?

I knew every dollar in and out of that account. Of course, Robert wanted to keep us as clients. But there was no way we could keep our account active after what happened at the hotel. Afterward, I seethed with a fury that consumed me for days. I'd never been a vindictive man before, but I wanted Oliver to pay. I couldn't go back and lay my hands on him, but I could crush him slowly.

I could take away his money.

When I spoke to Étienne about closing our account at the bank, he was hesitant, but I was ready. I showed him Hutchinson State Bank, also in Savannah, and serving as a private bank and a real estate investment company. I told him it would be more focused on our needs. Family or not, Étienne would go where the money went. He agreed, and I moved forward with my idea.

Did I relish hurting Robert? No. He was a good man. He didn't deserve to get hit in the crossfire. But many men were struck in the interchanges of business.

It wasn't my problem.

Jaw set, I looked at his no-good son. He was the one I wanted to hurt.

Oliver sat behind his daddy. With his arms crossed, he stared back at me with a knowing glare. He knew what was occurring, and he couldn't do a damn thing about it.

“Well, I'm truly sorry to see you go,” Robert said, pulling me out of my thoughts once more.

“It's nothin' personal,” I lied. “I hope you understand.”

“Of course. And if you ever change your mind, you can always come back.” Robert gathered the paperwork for me to sign.

I had a

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