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Gia exchanged a puzzled glance with Jennie, who waggled her eyebrows. “You’ve become a favorite of the Blackwaters, it seems.”
I don’t want to be anyone’s favorite.
That never worked out well for her.
“Can you bring him to the conference room?” she started to say, then caught herself.
Caleb was in there.
“No—wait. My office, please.”
She wiped sweaty palms on her coat.
Maybe her decision to stay—or leave—was about to be taken out of her hands.
President Blackwater entered her office with his security detail. He motioned for them to wait outside.
The door shut behind them with a soft click that sounded more like the crack of a gunshot to her frayed nerves.
“President Blackwater.” She gestured to one of the metal chairs and took a seat next to him, her throat dry as the dust swirling outside. “To what do I owe the honor of your visit?”
“I need your help.”
She blinked. “My help?” That wasn’t what she’d expected.
“My grandson, Caleb.” Ben’s gaze was steady. “He’s formed a connection with you.”
She leaned back, nonplused. “We hardly know each other.”
“And yet, he’s stays for you.”
Warmth fizzed in her veins—one she immediately tried to drown in cold reality.
“He protects people for a living. He’s just…helping me figure out what to do about my situation.”
Ben nodded, his expression knowing. “I understand the circumstances are not ideal, but without you, Caleb would have been gone the second we buried his mother. Probably for good.”
It wasn’t her place to ask, but… “Why?”
A heavy sigh escaped him. One loaded with so many layers Gia couldn’t even begin to decipher.
“My wife wanted our children to follow the traditional ways. Lillie—Caleb’s mother—rebelled. She wanted more than the life we could offer. They fought constantly—but the bond between themnever broke until my wife died. Something in Lillie died that day as well. She took our grandson. Moved to Phoenix with Caleb’s father. Cut all ties.”
Pain lined the older man’s face. “Caleb believes we abandoned them. The truth is more complicated.”
Gia’s heart twisted.
No wonder Caleb carried such deep wounds. So did the man seated beside her.
“How do you think I can help?” she asked quietly.
A sly smile lit the president’s eyes. “I haven’t had the opportunity to visit your home since you settled in. I have some free time this evening.”
Her brows drew together.
Ben elaborated, his voice mild. “Perhaps I’ll get lucky, and you’ll have a visitor when I arrive?”
Ahhh.Understanding dawned.