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I take a deep breath. “Sir—”

“Don’t you sir me. My daughter deserves her inheritance, and she will not get it without her husband in charge. You married her, and if you hadn’t, she would have married a man who would have been working in my business all these years with me. It’s time you stepped into your role.”

No. This is not happening.

“I am not stepping into any role. I have my own business to take care of. I’m sorry, Alejandro, but it isn’t going to happen,” I tell him firmly. I’ve never spoken to him before in this tone, but enough is enough. I will not get involved in whatever it is he is involved in.

“You will deny my daughter her inheritance?”

“Padre, we don’t need any money. We have plenty.” Valeria puts her hand on his, trying to calm him.

He looks at their hands then her. “My money isn’t good enough for you?”

“It isn’t about that.”

“You will have nothing from me. What do you do when you go through all your money someday?”

I sigh. “Alejandro, it’s a very nice offer, and I appreciate your confidence in my abilities, but Valeria and I have enough money to last a lifetime. Your men who have been with you throughout the years are much better equipped to develop your business. I will continue to take care of Valeria. You have my word on that. She will never go without. But I am not taking over your business.”

I’ve never discussed our financial situation with Alejandro before, and I don’t know how much the man has, but I may have more. And mine is all legitimately earned, and in bank accounts, besides a few million I keep in cash in my safe. Valeria also has earned a great deal of money, and I’ve invested it for her with Noah’s companies, so she should never have to worry about anything, either.

He turns to Valeria. “What about your mama? If Santiago takes over, he will push her out. The only home she has known will no longer be hers.”

Valeria blinks back tears. “You would let him do that?”

“Once I’m gone, it is his to make decisions on. They have never gotten along. I know my son and what he will do.”

“Then, I’ll take care of Mama.”

He snorts. “A woman does not take care of a woman.”

I press my hand on Valeria so she doesn’t speak. “I will take care of her, then.”

“You’ve done well, but you don’t have my kind of resources.”

You don’t know shit, asshole.But I’m not going to delve into it more with Alejandro.

“We have enough to take care of her, don’t we?” I turn to Valeria.

She knows what we are worth, and she also knows I don’t want her father to know. The less he knows about us, the better.

“Yes, we do,” Valeria confidently states.

He laughs. “You two are fools.”

Valeria stands up. “We are done with this conversation.”

“Sit down.” Her father points. “You’re done when I say you are.”

Defiantly, she lifts her chin. “No. We’re done here. I’m not under your control anymore.”

His eyes slit farther, and he says nothing.

“As you like to remind everyone, a woman’s husband is in control.” She turns to me. “Jamison, are we done here?”

Fuck. This isn’t good. The last thing I want to do is piss Alejandro off.

I stand up and grab her hand. “Alejandro, it’s been nice seeing you. Have a safe trip back to Colombia. I will not be taking over your business, and you have my word that I will take care of Valeria’s mama.” I look at Valeria. “Let’s go.”

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