‘I’ll take your plate to the table,’ he offered.
Everyone else was seated by the time they arrived. Sofia sat on a bench facing her brothers, while Cesar straddled the end of it, so he was facing her.
‘Olivia is a hothead,’ he informed her. ‘Don’t believe everything she says.’
‘Even if what Olivia says makes sense?’ Sofia queried.
Cesar shrugged. ‘Just don’t allow her to draw you into one of her ill-thought-out schemes.’
‘What makes you think I don’t have schemes of my own?’
‘If you do, I must insist you run them past me first.’
She almost choked on her burger. Chugging down a glass of water, she shook her head. ‘I can’t believe you sometimes. You mentioned co-operation? I get that. Putting safeguards in place is only sensible, but to defer to you on every decision I make?’
‘I’m trying to keep you safe, Sofia.’
‘And I’m trying to keep you safe,’ she reminded him. Glancing around, she tried to work out who the mole might be. Each group was an island separate from the rest, but could any of them be guilty of betraying Cesar’s trust? It seemed unlikely.
‘I have a lot of things to put right and I don’t expect you, or anyone else, to do that for me,’ she stated firmly. ‘I may not have your seemingly limitless resources, but neither am I incapable.’
‘Or as experienced as me at dealing with sharks like Howard Blake,’ Cesar pointed out.
‘I’m a fast learner.’
‘Fast learners listen to advice.’
Sitting back, she closed her eyes briefly. ‘Do you have any idea how annoying you can be?’
Cesar flashed a quick and, oh, so welcome smile. ‘Some.’
‘Well, just forget I said anything. I shouldn’t have asked you for help.’
‘That’s a matter of opinion. Howard Blake is a slippery character.’
‘All the more reason to stop him.’
‘But not on your own.’ Cesar articulated each word in a low, fierce tone.
With a laugh she pushed her plate away. ‘Anyone would think you care.’
‘I do care,’ Cesar insisted, surprising her, but just as happy surprise leapt onto her face he added, ‘I’m not looking for more tangles to unpick before the match. The clock is ticking. None of us can afford to be distracted. You expected something more?’ he enquired, when she couldn’t hide her shock.
Recovering fast, she said coolly, ‘Why would I?’
‘We can’t talk here,’ Cesar said, frowning. ‘It’s too noisy. My study...’ He stood.
She’d seen his study. Desk. Floor. Rug. Hard chairs. Easy chairs. Inviting sofas. All options open. But to persuade Cesar not to do anything that might put him danger, was this the best chance she’d get?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
LEAVING THE TABLE, she joined Cesar as they walked the short distance to the ranch house. Once inside they went straight to Cesar’s study, where he directed her to an easy chair. He remained standing with his hip propped against the desk. ‘So talk,’ he invited.
‘I’ve got nothing new to say. I just don’t want you doing anything on my behalf that puts you in danger.’
‘How much of your own money have you put into your retreat?’
‘Every penny. And I mortgaged the property,’ she admitted. ‘I had to so I could take on more people.’
