And just like that, he’s back to business.
WARREN
I breathe a sigh of relief when the day finally comes to an end. It’s been stressful from the second I spotted Leoni arriving this morning, and Erik rushing over to her. It was lucky Nancy had just left with the promise I’d see her for dinner tonight.
Anthony looks up as I walk towards the car, and he opens the passenger door.
“Where was your guy?” I ask as he gets into the driver's seat.
“I told you, he thought she was having coffee and he took his eye off her for a second. When he looked up, she was gone.”
“Make it clear he’s to inform me whenever she just shows up where I’m going to be.”
He stares at my reflection in the mirror.
“In all fairness, Boss, she works here. He probably wouldn’t have called to tell me she was arriving at work.”
I sigh heavily. I’m irritated, and I feel like everything's getting out of hand. And I can’t stop the intrusive thoughts from swirling around my head, making me think that it would have been better to leave things as they were with Leoni, until I’d sorted out my father. I shouldn’t have turned up at the funeral. She was doing fine without me.
I lean my head back as he pulls into traffic.
“Is she working her notice or just—”
“She’s stubborn,” I cut in. “She suddenly wants to work because I told her not to bother.”
He chuckles to himself. “And if Nancy spills the plans to get you up the aisle?”
I groan. “I’ll think of something. Leoni already agreed to keep us a secret for now. Maybe I can distract Nancy with wedding plans.”
“For a wedding that’ll never happen.”
“Exactly, but she doesn’t know that.”
Nancy is already seated when I arrive for dinner. She stands, and I kiss her cheek before we both sit.
“I have something to tell you, and I don’t think you’ll be happy,” she says on a wince. The waiter tops my glass up with red wine, but I keep my eyes trained on her, so she continues. “Daddy might have booked the golf club for an impromptu engagement announcement.”
I arch a brow, my heart stuttering in my chest. “This isn’t your fathers wedding,” I snap, downing my wine and topping the glass back up.
“I assumed it wouldn’t be an issue, especially with your father calling in favours.”
My eyes snap to hers. “What does that mean?”
“He wants a video showing to a prisoner, the same prisoner he wants moving out of segregation. Those things don’t come for free,” she mutters absent-mindedly.
I still, trying to keep my breathing calm. “What video?”
“I have no idea. All I know is we have to make this announcement first, or my father won’t do it. Your family can’t be calling all the shots.”
I sigh. “Did he have his lawyers look over the prenup?”
I’d made sure it was as unreasonable as possible to further delay this joke of a wedding.
“I don’t bore myself with details,” she says, arching a perfectly plucked brow.
I call my father the second I get back to the car. He answers on the second ring. “I assume dinner went well.”
“Calling in favours already?” I shoot back.
