Page 7 of Ace of Swords

Chapter Three

Present Day

“Ican see it in youreyes,” Sergio said. “You don’t approve.”

He’d caught me just before I could slip off the property minutes after Marcus had.What’s the point in lying?I wondered. “You’re right,” I sighed. “Thousands blown on flowers and cupcakes and tables for a graduation is excessive.”

“Nothing that has to do with my Tatiana is excessive.”

My pulse quickened hearing her name. “Marcus told me the money is gone. I’m not going to hassle you for refunds. At least she’s only graduating from college once.”What is she doing next?The thought bit me out of the blue.Will she move or continue to live under her dad’s shadow?What she’d said, about feeling like she was trapped, I couldn’t get it out of my head.

If she wasn’t staying in this mansion, I could see her much easier.

No, idiot. You can’t risk seeing her ever again.

My boss considered me, his fingers massaging his chin. “I hate your sour disapproval. Did you have fun at my last party?”

Heat boiled up my neck. “Yes.” More than he knew.

“Then return here tonight. If you have a good time at my daughter’s graduation party, it’ll soothe some of my spending guilt away.”

“Sir—”

He waved his arm to shut me up. “And, I’ll let you have more control.”

“How do you mean?”

“My money. I’ll open my books fully to you. We’ll expand your responsibility to more of the businesses.”

“Won’t that upset Marcus?” He’d been in control of most of Sergio’s accounts for years.

“Marcus?” he snorted. “Between us, the man’s been slacking in his duties. I could use more eyes, morediscerningminds.”

Stunned by his offer, I gathered myself up. “Thank you. Your trust means everything to me.”

He clapped a heavy hand on my shoulder. “I’d hate to ever lose that trust.”

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