Accidental Knight: A Marriage Mistake Romance(27)

I give the lot a quick scan myself. “Don’t see it.”

“Me either. I’m not sure if that’s a relief or a problem.”

I can’t say for sure, either, but I do know Roger Jones and his feelings toward her old man. “Roger only called so you’d have a heads-up on their visit. He knows what Jonah wanted and agrees with those wishes. He’s a figurehead, Bella. You’re the queen.”

She smiles, but a frown forms between her brows and settles in her eyes and remains as we walk into the building.

That’s when it dawns on me. I’m not just here to protect her and make sure she doesn’t wind up screwed over by her parents, industry jackals, or even her own left hand.

If I want to help Bella Reed, I have to make her a believer in herself.





Roger Jones, a tall man with grey hair and eyes, meets us in the lobby.

He’d probably watched us pull into the parking lot. There’s a reason he wants Jonah’s wishes fulfilled. His career.

He’s got a good head on his shoulders. He’s overseen the company’s finer points for years through plenty of ups and downs. His salary might make him the second richest person in Dallas, and he damn sure wants to keep it that way.

I made a point to get to know him over the years I’ve spent with Jonah.

Out of habit, I can’t trust a man unless I know him.

Jones went to high school with Gary and Molly Reed – same class – but unlike them, he came home to Dallas after college. He used the education Jonah paid for to repay the old man’s generosity.

Bella’s not the only one to benefit from Jonah’s success. There’s hardly a section of this town that hasn’t been affected by his generosity.

Hell, over half the little places on Main Street are still running as 'historic Dallas' landmarks propped up by his big, local charity foundation.

I stand back, assuming my role, as Bella and Roger greet each other and make small talk. He invites her upstairs to a conference room, and gestures toward the elevator. He already knows I’ll join them and gives me a friendly nod.

As the elevator takes us up, Bella asks Roger, “Mr. Jones, were you ever in the Army? Any branch of the military?”

“No,” he replies. “I’ve spent my whole life in Dallas, other than the few years I was at college.”

She nods.

Roger looks at me over her head. “This guy, though...let’s just say we’re all in good hands. Jonah kept him around for a reason. If I ever got in a bar fight, there’s no better backup in the whole county than Drake Larkin.”

I’m in an at-ease stance, with my hands behind my back, so I just raise a brow. Picturing easygoing, cheerful Roger getting his knuckles bloody is almost so absurd I laugh.

“That’s right,” she says. “You went to school with my parents, didn’t you?”

I hold my breath, knowing all I’d told her in the truck is still fresh in her mind. I’m praying it doesn’t set her off again. I shoot Roger a firmer brow-lift look, one that says watch what you say.

“I certainly did,” he answers carefully. “The classes were...a lot bigger in those days. Plenty more teachers now, no thanks to your grandfather’s generosity.”

Good boy. He’s playing it safe, and he’d better keep it that way.

The elevator opens, and he puts a hand over the edge, keeping the door open. “Straight ahead, at the end of the hall.”

As we walk, me following close behind, Roger rattles off the number of employees the building houses and other company related trivia.

Entering the conference room, he directs her to the large table surrounded by massive leather chairs. There’s a large three-ring binder waiting, a company portfolio, plus a few waters and coffee thermoses.

I close the door and stand beside it as the two of them sit down.

Roger offered his condolences downstairs, but he repeats them before he assures her that there are no immediate concerns with the company. Nor will there be any future problems on his watch.

He tells her Jonah created a slick, marvelously well-oiled machine that’s more than capable of handling not only the day-to-day operations, but executive decisions too. He goes on to discuss board meetings, how she’ll be invited to attend, and how she’ll be presented with full reports afterward.

“So, what did my father have to say this morning?” Bella cuts in with a question of her own.

This is the part where you’d hear a record scratch to a halt if this were a movie. My jaw snaps tight, ready and waiting for trouble.

“Ah yes, Mr. Gary Reed...his concerns were exactly what you’d expect,” Roger answers. “I was prepared and reiterated exactly what you heard yesterday at Mr. Sheridan’s office. I have my copy of the will on hand and plan to execute it right down to the dot.”

Good answer.

“How many board meetings has Dad attended?” she asks a few minutes later, flipping through the binder.

Roger once again glances my way. “None that I’m aware of, and I’ve been here for over twenty years. However, he has been provided monthly and yearly summaries. I trust he may have looked a few of them over.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Bella grimaces. “And what sort of access does he have to company information?”

Roger frowns. “Such as?”