Page 25 of Leon
"Come with me." Pushing away the box, she dusted her hands off and led the way through a maze of shelves and along a passageway until they reached the door.
"My office." Pushing the door open, she waited for Lisa to step in before closing it behind them. "Would you like some coffee?"
"I wouldn't say no." Shrugging off her jacket, she laid it on the arm of the chair before taking a seat and looking around. It was small but functional and very neat. She also noticed the lack of photos on the simple oak desk.
"Thanks." Taking the cup, Lisa sat back and watched as her sister-in-law settled behind the desk. The woman was nervous and edgy.
"He told you."
"Everything. I must say I am pissed that he did not wait for my return."
"We couldn't." Kadian toyed with the rim of her cup. "We-- it was sudden, and we didn't want to wait." She looked over at the beautiful woman and felt the twinge again. The same shape and color of the eyes and the thickness of the blonde hair, which had grown so familiar to her. "How is he? He hasn't called--" She shook her head. "It's fine."
"Evidently, it's not." Lisa felt sympathy swelling inside her. She had shared the news with her husband last night when she got home, knowing that it would stay between them. Anthony had been his usual noncommittal self and warned her to stay out of it.
"Not a bloody chance. He's my brother."
Her husband had left it at that.
"Look," she scooted to the edge of the seat and had yet to take a sip of the coffee. "This is an impossible situation and one that I am not sure I approve of."
"It's not for you to approve or disapprove." The woman's cool tone had Lisa lifting her brows, her admiration going up a notch. This was certainly no pushover. "We did what we had to do, and we're going to have to find a way to sort things out." She pressed her lips together and leaned back in the chair. "I have to find a delicate way to break the news to my dad, and he--" She shrugged. "I love him. I love your brother. I never planned on this happening, never dreamed--" She picked up the cup and gulped. "It is what it is. And there's no turning back, not for me. I am not into him for his money; I don't care about that. I love him so much."
She looked so forlorn and sad that Lisa felt her heart wrenching. Her dad had not approved of her choice when she decided to marry Anthony, but she had not allowed that to stop her. With her brother, it was far different. He was the heir to the fortune, and a hell of a lot of responsibilities fell on his shoulders.
"I'm on your side."
Chapter 7
The surprised look she received had Lisa smiling. She had to admit that she had marched into the quaint bookstore to confront the woman who was holding her brother's heart and happiness hostage. But something else had transpired. She liked the girl, felt for her and even considered that in time she could become like a sister. There was strength under all that staggering beauty. She also sensed compassion and a strong tug of duty.
There was also fear and a hint of sadness. She had felt it with her brother as well. These two were star-crossed lovers. They were caught up in an impossible situation. And it pissed her off that they were apart.
"I expected you to hate me."
Lisa smiled whimsically. "I came here expecting that as well." The coffee had gone cold, and she put it aside. "Leon was always mine. We were brought up in a household where there was..." She gestured with one hand. "I suppose you could say, cool and civilized. Dad was always so driven. He was determined to make something of himself and that left mother feeling adrift." She shrugged. "My brother has a lot on his shoulders. He's the heir and will be taking over from our father. That's fact."
She stared at the woman seated at the desk. "I also came here to demand that you either do the right thing or release my brother from this unprecedented marriage."
Kadian held her breath. "And now?"
"I see that I was wrong." She rose and waited until Kadian did the same. "I would like us to have lunch and get to know each other. I'm here for a while. I'm at the local hospital and will be lending a hand to the clinic my brother is having built in our mother's name." She smiled. "Dad is not on board, but I'm known to buck him constantly."
She took Kadian's hand when she came around from her desk. "I'm here to listen and not judge. I don't know what your duty is to your own dad. I know of the scandal and the past grudges. It's still a mystery to me. Is it true?" She shrugged and gave Kadian's hand a quick squeeze. "I also came here to make some purchases. A few scented candles I saw just as I came in and books. I have been working my privileged ass off for months and intend to take some time to relax. The candles are for seducing my husband and the books are for me."
Kadian gave a quick laugh and felt the tension dissipating. She liked her husband's sister. Liked her quick wit and frank manner.
"Let's see what we come up with, shall we?"
Lisa tugged at her hand. "Take my card." Letting go, she fished into her purse and took out a card. "My cell number is there. Call me anytime. If I'm busy at the hospital, just leave a message and I'll get back to you."
The tears welled up; she couldn't help it. This was one member of her husband's family on her side. And it cemented the fact that she was well and truly married.
"Thank you." She took the card and stared at the simple words.
"I expected gold embossed lettering."
Lisa's quick laugh brought an answering smile. "I try to be as simple as possible. I am a healer, first and foremost."
