"Grayson," I breathed, stepping away from Cooper.
Sugie came from behind Grayson, looking straight at Cooper and letting out a singular snarl, followed by two barks. My eyes widened. It was the first time Sugie—to my knowledge—had ever barked in her life.
"I think you should leave. My dog doesn't like you."
Cooper smirked. "I'm sure she's about as good a judge of character as you are."
"She doesn't lie," Grayson answered, his expression tight, his voice frigid. "She's a dog, not a politician. Get off my property."
"I was just leaving." He turned his attention to me. "You know my position, Kira. I'm as concerned about you as your father. We're here to help you. If you need me, call me. I'll be here in a heartbeat."
Grayson stepped forward. "I can assure you my wife will not need anything from you—either now or in the future."
Cooper stared at Grayson for a tense moment, my own breath suspended, and then he wisely backed down, turning and striding to his vehicle. I let out a harsh exhale.
Neither Grayson nor I said a word as Cooper got in his car and his driver pulled away, around the fountain, and out the front gates.
"What in the hell was that about? Were you crying?" Grayson asked, moving toward me, a look on his face that was a cross between anger, concern, and wariness.
"I . . . yes." I let out another shaky breath. "We need to talk, Grayson." I shook my head, my arms hanging loosely at my sides. "Can we go inside?"
He studied my face for a moment, the wariness suddenly taking center stage. Oh God, I was going to hurt him and he was already so hurt. Dread made my shoulders curl forward.
He led me toward the house as I tried my best to ignore my shaking legs and follow him into his office. I wondered at the choice, but perhaps he led me there simply because it was the nearest room to the front door. "Do you want to sit?" I asked.
“I'd rather stand,” he answered tersely. He was acting so business-like with me. I shivered, wrapping my arms around my body. "What's going on, Kira?" His posture and the watchful look on his face reminded me of a man expecting a blow.
"The money's been frozen," I whispered, my face crumbling.
His expression registered first confusion and then shock. "What? How?"
I took in a deep lungful of air. "My father . . . I don't even know the details. He's done something, made claims, tied it up somehow until they can be investigated."
"Okay, well, whatever claims he's made, they're baseless. That money's yours via the terms."
"I know," I said, my voice breaking. "But he can tie it up so long we're forced to start selling things just to survive. He can. He will."
Grayson swore harshly, running his hand through his hair.
"I'm so sorry. I underestimated him. I didn't think . . ."
Grayson stared somewhere beyond me, his expression an unreadable mask, quiet for so long, I wondered if he'd speak again at all. "Why was Cooper here and what were you talking about? You mentioned your father using me," he finally asked, bringing his gaze back to me. "What did you mean by that? Tell me."
"Cooper . . . he was just, I don't know, pretending to be concerned about me." I moved toward Grayson, putting my hands on his biceps and looking up into his face, using my eyes to plead with him. "Please try to understand what I tell you next. Please understand why I'm only telling you now. At first I didn't think it was necessary . . . and then the more time that passed . . ."