Chapter 5 - THE ARCHITECT AND THE KING OF SHADOWS
Leo explained that Bellweather had once belonged to a businessman named Arthur Bell.
In the 1970s, Bell had used several properties to store records connected to shipping companies and private financial partnerships.
Some of those companies later became part of the network Leo inherited.
Christa stared.
“My mother's house?”
Leo nodded.
“Possibly.”
She frowned.
“What does that have to do with Gregory?”
“Hammond's father worked for Bell.”
Christa's stomach tightened.
“And?”
“He disappeared after a financial scandal.”
She stared.
“Are you saying Gregory thinks something is buried beneath my greenhouse?”
Leo nodded.
“Documents. Records. Perhaps evidence.”
Christa leaned back.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because it was absurd.
“My uncle tried to marry me off over paperwork?”
Leo's expression darkened.
“Possibly.”
She looked at him.
“And you?”
He raised an eyebrow.
“What about me?”
“Why do you care?”
Leo held her gaze.
“Because those records may concern my family.”
Christa nodded slowly.
“Then we're not friends.”
Leo's mouth curved.
“No.”
“We have overlapping interests.”
“Yes.”
She folded her arms.
“And if I find anything, it belongs to me until my attorney determines otherwise.”
Leo studied her.
Then smiled.
“Agreed.”
Christa narrowed her eyes.
“You agreed too quickly.”
“Miss Dempsey.”
He leaned forward slightly.
“I have a great deal of money.”
She stared.
He continued:
“What I don't have is a woman willing to tell me no without first checking whether it's safe.”
Her cheeks warmed.
“That sounds like your problem.”
May you like
Leo laughed.
And for the first time, Christa saw the man beneath the reputation.
