I tear my gaze away from Helena to stare at Royce.
He releases a sigh.“Not something I’m proud of.Circumstances of life, and her mother.”He doesn’t expand and simply shakes his head.“We can’t change the past, Ballard.To think the future involves me becoming a grandfather.I guess it’s a chance for us to reconcile.If she’s open to it.With everything going on these past few months...it makes me realize life is short.”
I bob my head in agreement; his last line is a fact.Almost dying is confronting as shit.
“What are your thoughts about Jolene getting arrested?Nolan attacking you, the accusations?”he suddenly asks.
Taking my phone, I carefully pick my words and show him the screen.“Nolan wanted revenge and it cost him his life.”
It basically covers everything.
“And me?The company?”His gaze is locked on me.
I don’t bother with my phone and simply point at him and give him a thumbs-up.
A smile and a bob of his head is what I get in return, along with the words, “I was always good to you, eh?You too, Ballard.You’re driven, trained, professional, and a team player as well as being able to execute assignments by yourself.I assume knocking my daughter up wasn’t planned.”
It’s a straight-out lie.One I did to mess with Helena, but I guess it’s working out well.I shrug and grin.
“Thought so.”Royce chuckles.“Maybe you can persuade her to come and work for me.Yes.It will be a great addition to the company.You are considering my offer to come back, right?I will have an office for you.I know you never enjoyed a desk job, but this time it will be different.You will have more authority and will work as my right hand.”
His ramblings are damn good for Helena’s case, but it’s hitting me like a freight train.I don’t want a damn desk job or to become his right hand for that matter.
“Just think about it, Ballard.”Royce holds out his hand and I shake it while giving the fucker a nod.
Royce pats my shoulder.“Good, it’s all I can ask for.Take your time.I will text you in a few days or so, okay?Oh, I see Jolene is about to make an announcement.Excuse me.”
I stay in place and glance around.There are over twenty people in this room and I only know Helena, Royce, and Jolene.The couple next to me are whisper hissing their words and it sounds like they’re having an argument.
Jolene taps her champagne glass to get everyone’s attention.She starts to talk and I keep staring at her, but I’m getting annoyed by the arguing couple beside me.
I’m trying to ignore them until I catch the words coming from the woman who says, “It’s her you had sex with, right?How dare you bring me to that bitch’s house?You said it was a one-time incident and you’d never see her again.I’m leaving.You’re a lying, cheating bastard.”
It’s then Jolene loudly states, “Jacob Tucker, come up here.He’s my new partner because I decided to become a notary with the part of the company I inherited from my late husband...may he rest in peace.”
I turn to face the couple next to me and watch how the woman glares at the man I now realize is Jacob Tucker.
“I didn’t know,” Jacob murmurs to his wife.
She narrows her eyes.“If you didn’t know, then we’re going to leave together.Right.Now.”
The woman tugs at his arm.Everyone in the room turns to face Jacob.
“Jacob,” Jolene shouts cheerfully.“Come.”
Jacob looks torn and doesn’t so much as make a move to either leave or go to Jolene.
“Fuck you, asshole,” the woman snarls and storms away.
With everyone staring at him, Jacob doesn’t really have a choice and moves toward Jolene.She reaches for him and pulls him close as she clings to his arm.Fucking weird if you ask me.
Wait.Tim, Jolene’s husband was cheating on her, and Jolene was cheating on him too according to the couple beside me.With his damn partner.Did she kill her husband to be with Jacob?Using Tim first to notarize Burk’s will.Fuck.It’s getting weirder by the second.Then again, maybe this is the new lead we’re looking for.
It at least gives us the chance to do some research on Jacob Tucker.The woman who stormed off as well.I glance over my shoulder to see if she’s still there.Should I go after her?Maybe she, or Jacob, can shed some new light on Jolene.
“What was that all about?”Helena’s voice makes me turn to face her.
Shit.I was still staring in the direction the woman stormed off in and ignored everything else while I thought things over.
