“No. Surprise me.”
He tilted his head to look at her. “You trust me that much.”
She paused, studied his features, and then said softly, “Yes. It might sound crazy and maybe even a bit naïve since we only just met…but yes, I trust you. Of course, it would help if you let me know what to wear so I can be dressed appropriately.”
When she opened her hotel room door, he followed her inside, closed the door behind them, and then turned her into his arms. More than anything, he wanted to sweep her off her feet and carry her to that bed. But there was no way he would do that. Not yet. He wanted her to get to know him, the way he wanted to get to know her.
“I’m going to miss you, Haven.” Then he leaned in and captured her mouth.
What he’d told Dante earlier was true. Hehadfallen in love with Haven. Now all he had to do was convince her that she loved him just as much.
CHAPTER 11
Connor, Logan, Lyle, and Lance
“Connor? Should we assume this conference call has something to do with Silas Kingston?” Logan asked. Connor had sent him and his brothers text messages earlier that day, asking them to call the number he had provided at ten o’clock that evening.
“Yes. Lyle and Lance, you’re on here as well, right?”
“We’re here,” Lance and Lyle said simultaneously.
“Good,” Connor said, leaning back in his chair. “I mentioned this call to Carrie, and she said that she would prefer to let you guys handle it. She will go along with whatever decision is made.”
“Okay then.” Logan looked at Connor. “So what did you find out?” he asked.
“Silas Kingston was CEO of the Kingston Corporation. However, he died of colon cancer two years ago.”
“He wasthatKingston?” Lyle said.
“You knew him?” Connor asked.
“I didn’t know him personally,” Lyle replied. “But I know of the Kingston Corporation. They fund numerous life-saving medical surgeries for people who can’t afford them. They’re also known to take over pharmaceutical companies thatovercharge consumers for prescriptions, only to slash the cost and make them affordable. The Kingston Corporation sponsors a lot of well-known charities.”
“Pop did say that Edwina mentioned meeting Silas at the soup kitchen, where she and Carrie would often go for food. And that Kingston’s corporation provided the funds for the place,” Logan said.
“What about his son?” Lyle asked.
“He’s twenty-eight and his name is Skylar Kingston.”
“So, with Silas’ death, that means Skylar is running things?” Lyle asked.
“Yes, he is the CEO and chairman of the board,” Connor replied. “From the information I was able to gather, Skylar Kingston is taking the company in the direction his father wanted it to go. He remains involved in numerous charities while expanding the family’s wealth. From all reports, he’s a private person but a very likable guy. He’s Harvard-educated, highly intelligent, and smart as a whip.”
“He must have inherited those attributes from his father, because Edwina was none of those things,” Lance said snidely.
“Where is the corporation located?” Logan asked.
“The Kingston Corporation is based in San Francisco, and he makes his home there.”
“Do you think Silas told him anything about Edwina before he died?” Lance asked.
“We have no way of knowing,” Connor said. “It’s up to you guys to decide if you want Edwina’s letter delivered to Skylar, or if we should destroy it, since Silas Kingston is dead.”
The conference call got quiet. Then Lance spoke up. “As much as I’d like to claim him as a brother, finding out thetruth about Edwina might destroy him and make him resent his father for not telling him the truth about her. I suggest we leave well enough alone. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
“I disagree,” Lyle said. “I think he has a right to know.”
The conference call got quiet again, so Connor asked, “What are your thoughts, Logan?”
