"Fine, I promise not to say anything."
"Good." He set his drink down on his desk and picked up his phone. "Allow them in," he said before hanging up. He grabbed his drink and walked back over to sit down. When he sat down, he held up his glass as if to toast.
Confused, Leon raised his own glass and clicked them together.
"Here's to having a late-night drink with a friend."
Leon had no idea what the man meant, but he took a sip of his drink anyway. At the moment, it was better if he played nice with Alpha Barker instead of telling the man he was a complete loon.
"I'm sorry my wife couldn't be here to meet you. She took Raymond to her sister’s for a few days. She felt it was best to get him out of the area until I calmed down enough to be reasonable." Alpha Barker chuckled. "Her words, not mine."
"I'm sure your mate is doing what she thinks best."
"Wife, not mate. I married my wife because it brought our two clans together. It was a marriage arranged by my parents. It is not a love match, and to my everlasting regret, it produced Raymond, who is just like his mother in every way."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"My mate died many years ago." Alpha Barker had tears in his eyes when he looked at Leon. "My wife killed her."
Leon's eyebrows lifted. "And you're still married to her?"
"Until recently, she had leverage over me that basically kept me in line." The man heaved a big breath. "Which is why my son is a monster."
Leon didn't want to agree with the man, but how could he not. "You said recently? Has that changed?"
He was surprised by the grin that crossed the alpha's face.
"It has, which is one of the reasons that Barbara has taken Raymond to her sister’s. I think she's hoping I'll be lost without my family and give in to her demands to let Raymond get away with what he's done."
"I take it you're not going to let him get away with it?" Leon almost crossed his fingers and made a wish.
"I've already reported him to our council and informed them of where my wife and son are staying." The man's grin grew even bigger. "And then I filed for divorce."
"You've been a busy man."
"I can finally be the alpha my wife wouldn't let me all these years."
"Ford said you were a good alpha."
The smile fell from the man's face. "If I'd been a good alpha, Raymond would be the man this clan needs to lead it. He's not, and that's my fault. I let him get away with too much, too many times. Now he believes the world owes him."
Yeah, Leon kind of got that impression from Raymond.
Before he could comment, there was a knock at the door. Alpha Barker shot him a quick glare. "Remember your promise."
Leon nodded.
"Come," the man called out.
The door opened and a guard stepped in. "Sir, Mr. George Carver Sr. and his mate are here to see you."
Leon's hand tightened around his glass.
Alpha Barer set his drink down then stood. "Please, show them in."
The guard held the door open and two older people walked in.
"Alpha Barker," the man said as he walked forward, hand held out. "I'm George Carver Sr. This is my mate, Rose."
