Leon, however, grinned as his eyes roamed over George. "Oh, I don't know about that. I'll bet you're plenty interesting."
George felt the man's gaze like a caress across his skin.
He almost groaned.
He reached up and tugged at the color of his cotton shirt. "Is it hot in here?"
It felt hot.
"So, you're about to come into a large amount of money," Leon said. "Your job is to learn how to deal with all that money. My job is to keep you safe while you do that. With that in mind, we need to set down a few ground rules."
"Rules?"
"I need you to not go anywhere without me."
"Like…to the bathroom?"
"No." Leon chuckled. He leaned back against the counter, looking very at ease in George's kitchen. "You can go to the bathroom by yourself. I just need you not to leave this apartment without letting me know."
"Okay, I can do that."
"I also need to know everyone who comes here, if they are someone you know, someone you approve of." Leon pointed toward the front door. "No one comes through that door that you don't approve. Understand?"
George nodded. "Ford and my aunt and uncle are always welcome here."
"Of course. Is there anyone else I should be aware of?"
"My parents." George's stomach clenched just thinking about them. "They are not allowed here at all. In fact, I'd prefer never to see them again if I can help it."
He was surprised Leon didn't react to those words.
"I haven't spoken to them in a few years and could pretty much go the rest of my life without speaking to them again." Harsh words, but George got sick to his stomach just imagining seeing them.
"Once they discover George has money," Ford said, "they will be on him like vultures."
"What about his former alpha?" Leon asked.
George shook his head. "He pretty much washed his hand of me when he banned me from the clan. I doubt he'd care."
"We're talking over a billion dollars here, George," Ford said. "Believe me, he'll care."
Leon leveled his gaze at Ford. "And your alpha? How will he react to George having a lot of money?"
Ford snorted. "He's too afraid of George to do anything."
George winced at the sharp look on Leon's face when the man glanced at him. He shrugged. "He's afraid I'll challenge him for the clan."
It was the story of George's life.
"Do you have plans to challenge him?" Leon asked.
"No." George couldn't keep the angry snarl off his face. He was so damn tired of people assuming he was a violent person simply because he was big. "I don't want the clan. I don't want any clan, but no one ever believes me."
Leon held up his hands. "I had to ask."
No, he really didn't.
"I was kicked out of my birth clan because my alpha was afraid I'd challenge him. He had help, though, so I don't totally blame him."
