Chapter 3 - The Question Roman Couldn’t Buy His Way Out Of
The next morning, Roman’s attorney arrived before eight.
Daniel Pierce had known Roman for twenty years.
He had never seen his friend make coffee for a child.
“You own six restaurants,” Daniel said.
“I know.”
“And you’re making pancakes?”
“I’m attempting pancakes.”
Eli looked at the blackened pan.
“He’s losing.”
Daniel smiled.
“I’m Daniel.”
“Eli.”
Roman pointed a spatula at Daniel.
“Why are you here?”
“You canceled everything yesterday.”
“I’m aware.”
“The board is panicking.”
“Good.”
“And there’s another issue.”
Daniel glanced toward Eli.
Roman understood.
“Study.”
Eli frowned.
“Why?”
“Adult conversation.”
“My mom hated when adults said that.”
Roman sighed.
“Library?”
“Better.”
Once Eli left, Daniel lowered his voice.
“Roman, you need to be careful.”
“He’s nine.”
“That isn’t what I mean.”
“I know exactly what you mean.”
“You have an estate worth billions. A company. Trusts. Shareholders. The press will find out.”
Roman’s expression hardened.
“You think he’s lying?”
“I think we verify everything.”
Roman stared at him.
Daniel continued.
“Not because the boy did anything wrong. Because someone may have put him in danger by sending him here.”
Roman glanced toward the library.
“He came alone.”
“What?”
“Claire arranged for a family friend to put him on a train. He left the station and came here alone.”
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
“Roman—”
“I know.”
“You need temporary guardianship paperwork immediately.”
“Do it.”
“And legally establishing paternity would protect him.”
Roman was silent.
Daniel studied him.
“You don’t want the test?”
“I don’t need it.”
“The court might.”
“Then the court gets it.”
Daniel nodded.
“There’s something else. Who knew about Claire?”
Roman’s face tightened.
“Almost nobody.”
“Your family?”
“My mother knew her name.”
Daniel paused.
“That could become complicated.”
It did.
By noon, Victoria Ashford entered the penthouse.
At seventy, Roman’s mother still carried herself like every room belonged to her.
She looked at Eli.
Then at Roman.
“This is the child?”
Eli was sitting on the sofa with his astronomy book.
Roman stepped between them.
“His name is Eli.”
Victoria’s gaze moved to the boy again.
“Roman, privately.”
“No.”
“Excuse me?”
“Anything concerning Eli gets said where Eli can hear it.”
Victoria lowered her voice.
“You cannot possibly believe a letter is sufficient proof.”
Eli went still.
Roman noticed.
“My attorneys are handling the legal details.”
“And until then?”
“He stays here.”
“You have known him for one day.”
“He’s my son.”
“You don’t know that.”
Eli quietly closed his book.
Roman’s voice changed.
“Mother.”
“I’m protecting you.”
“No. You’re frightening a nine-year-old who buried his mother two weeks ago.”
Victoria looked toward Eli.
For the first time, her expression softened.
But Eli stood.
“I can leave.”
Roman turned.
“No.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“I don’t want to cause problems.”
Roman crossed the room.
He crouched in front of him.
“You’re not causing anything.”
Eli looked toward Victoria.
“She doesn’t want me here.”
Roman answered without looking back.
“She doesn’t decide.”
Victoria stiffened.
“Roman.”
He stood.
“You spent my entire childhood teaching me that an Ashford protects his family.”
“Yes.”
“Then watch closely.”
Roman opened the penthouse door.
“Because I finally intend to.”
Victoria stared at her son for several seconds.
Then she walked out.
The door closed.
Eli whispered, “She’s scary.”
Roman loosened his tie.
“You should see her at Christmas.”
Eli laughed.
Roman did too.
Then Eli’s expression became serious.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“If Mom had told you when I was born...”
Roman already knew the question.
“Would you have come?”
For once, the billionaire who always had an answer found himself unable to speak.
Finally, Roman said:
“I don’t know what the man I was nine years ago would have done.”
Eli looked disappointed.
Roman continued.
“But I know what the man standing here now is going to do.”
May you like
“What?”
“Stay.”
