Page 142 of The Image of You

“It seems Mr. Givens has been doing a bad job lately of managing his affairs—his business is in trouble.”

I drew in a sharp breath. “Meaning?”

He shrugged. “Bad decisions and management, investments going south. The rumor is he is on the brink of disaster.”

Ronald’s absence and the strange look on Sarah’s face last night suddenly made sense.

“Could just be that—rumors,” I mused.

He shrugged. “My sources are well-connected. Rumors tend to have some truth behind them. I saw him a few weeks ago while I was out of town at some meetings. I went down to the bar to have a drink, and he was there.” He sat back. “He didn’t see me, but I saw him.”

“And?”

“He wasn’t alone. And it wasn’t Sarah with him.”

I let out a low whistle.

Sean smirked. “They were pretty…cozy. That might be part of the problem.”

I stared at him. If this was true, Sarah had a whole new set of things to occupy her time. A possible failed marriage and no money would be two very hard, bitter pills for her to swallow.

“Your new mother-in-law may need a place to live, Adam.”

I grinned. “I hear accommodations at the Y are excellent.”

“You’d let that happen to her mother? You’d let her be thrown into the streets?”

“After what she did? Without another thought.”

“What about your wife?”

I exhaled heavily. “I’m sure Ally would have different thoughts on the subject.”

Despite what her mother had done, Ally would never allow her to suffer if she could help. I’d let her rot, but I wasn’t sure how Ally would react.

“I’m not saying anything right now. Keep me posted, though.” I shook my head. “What a two-faced, sanctimonious bastard he is.”

“There’s more.”

“Oh?”

“He’s sent me all sorts of investment opportunities over the years. I’ve never been interested, but the last one that came mentioned one name in particular that stood out.”

“Oh?”

“Bradley Bennett.” He raised his eyebrow in amusement. “I doubt that will happen now that the marriage is off. And if the other rumor I heard is true, he needed that deal.”

Another piece clicked into the puzzle. The reason they pushed so hard for Ally to marry Bradley—it was more than just control. Ronald needed the money. Once again, he wanted to take from Ally.

“Too fucking bad for him, isn’t it?” I grinned at Sean. “She doesn’t owe him her life. If it’s true, he made this mess. He can deal with it.”

“You’ll tell her?”

“Yes, but not today. I’m marrying her legally soon, and then I’m taking her away. We’re going to spend time on us. Nothing else.” I pulled my hand through my hair, tugging on the ends. “But she’s been lied to enough, so I’ll tell her if and when something concrete happens. I’m not jumping the gun on rumors. I’ll support her no matter what she decides.”

“Sarah may have suspected something. Maybe that was part of all her lies. She was desperate,” Sean said, rubbing his chin.

I snorted. “She was stupid. If she had supported me, us, and this happened, I would have taken care of her. She would have been as protected as Ally. I would have made sure of it.”