"I have no idea what you're referring to." Leon crossed to his desk and sat.
"Leon Whitlock." The well-modulated voice was reproving. He crossed to sit on one of the well-padded chairs facing the massive desk. He could clearly see the signs of strain on his employer's face. He loved the man like a brother. At first, there was the huge crush that faded away eventually when Leon firmly told him that there was never a chance of it being returned. He respected the man's intuition and smarts in business and had learned a lot from him. He was also one of the very few who knew of his secret marriage, because he had been one of the witnesses to the ceremony. "What's going on with that beautiful wife of yours?"
Leon contemplated telling him to mind his own business, but when had that ever worked? He mused wryly. And David meant well.
"We had an argument."
David's lips pursed. "The same one, I imagine."
"Yes." He needed a drink and had deliberately stayed away from the recessed cabinet. He needed his wits about him. The airline was having problems, and he was going to have to justify to his father and the often-unyielding members of the board the need to ruthlessly streamline the entire operation. It was hisresponsibility among other things. He did not need to have his personal problems weighing him down.
"This is ridiculous!" David waved an impatient, well-manicured hand vaguely. "You're here, unhappy and I suppose the exquisite Mrs. Whitlock is feeling the same way. Want my take?" He plodded on before Leon could respond. "March into that antiquated bookstore and claim your woman. And damn the consequences."
Leon lifted an amused brow. "Including her father's heart attack and subsequent death? I have a feeling that would not endear me to her or lay the foundation for a happy marriage." He picked up a file, determined to end the topic. "I need the personnel file." He looked over at his assistant. "As well as the HR manager on the phone." His closed expression warned that the topic was no longer up for discussion.
But when had that ever stopped him? David wondered.
"I think he's faking it."
"Pardon?"
"The old man. Kay's father. I think he's using the illness to keep that beautiful girl in his clutches."
Leon frowned at him and tried not to cling to hope or reveal the fact that he had been thinking of it too. He had even broached the subject to Kadian. His wife had looked at him as if he had grown two heads.
"The doctors confirmed it."
"You should get your own physicians to do a second check."
"This is not helping," he warned.
"Then tell me what is?" David threw his arms up in exasperation. "You sitting here and brooding? Leon, this is crazy. You need to be with your wife."
"I--" The rest of the retort was swallowed down as the door was pushed open and his father stepped in. Giving David a dismissive look, he turned to his son. "I need to talk to you. Alone."
David rose. "I'll have those files ready for you. Mr. Whitlock." He gave the man a formal bow and left the room.
Chapter 2
"It doesn't cost you anything to be polite to David."
"You're too familiar with the staff."
Instead of being offended, Leon was amused. He watched as his father strode over to the table and poured himself a cup of coffee. It was a long-standing argument between them, and nothing was going to change. Besides, he was not in the mood to quibble over what he considered to be trivialities. He had other more important things on his mind.
Apparently, his father was of like mind. With nothing more than a dismissive nod, he came forward and sat on the seat David had vacated only minutes before.
Balancing the cup and saucer on the knee of his impeccable navy-blue trousers, he looked over at his son. "I would like something tangible before we step foot inside that conference room."
It was not a request, but an order. Robert Whitlock ran the company with a rod of iron and not even his son and heir was immune.
Leon could feel the twinge of resentment and the impatience, but his father had built the company from the ground up and had done so with his sweat and tears. He had been called ruthless and single-minded, something that was all so true, but he knew what he was about. Nothing escaped him. Except for the fact that his son was married. Leon sweated copiously at the thought of him finding out. There would be hell to pay.
"You don't trust me to do my job."
Going on the defensive was something he did as a way of giving himself time to gather his thoughts and composure.
The impatience on his father's face was proof that it was not appreciated.
