Dirty Sexy Alphas (Twenty Book Box Set) - Hannah Ford Page 0,311

is that right?” Valerie asked, breaking some of the tension that Robert’s questions had raised inside Harper.

“Yes, her grandmother was Louisa Harpswell.” Which meant that Harper’s great grandmother had been the heir to Harpswell Enterprises. Her father had owned over half the high end grocery stores in the country at one point, passing along his fortune to his four children.

In turn Louisa had divided it among her heirs, six children, Harper’s mother being one of them. Of course Harper’s mother’s fortune had been mishandled by her father, right along with the rest of it, a fact that Harper’s mother still refused to see.

“So you don’t agree with what he’s doing now?” Robert watched her carefully and even though Ethan tightened his hold on her, she shook her head.

“I don’t. But he’s never listened to me before, so he’s not going to start now. He does what he wants to do.” Harper took a sip of her iced tea to try and quiet the tumbling in her stomach.

“He’s got Clayton Associates as his representation right? They were the ones who represented World Bank’s CFO when he was accused of embezzling millions. They won that case I believe, despite the fact the bank was the victim.”

Harper knew the case. It had been all over the news for months and the jury came back that John Statan was innocent, even though he had in fact stolen millions over two years. The biggest twist of the knife was that World Bank had received billions in government bailout money and apparently had no oversight in place. Allowing the CFO to do what he did.

The fact that Clayton and Associates somehow managed to get him a free walk was what made her father hire them as soon as he was exposed. They were ruthless and calculating and weren’t above pushing the envelope to get a not guilty plea for their clients.

“Yes, that’s who he hired.” Not like it was a secret or anything.

“Have you always lived in Boston, Harper?” Valerie interrupted. Once again Ethan’s mother steered the conversation away from what was quickly becoming a very uncomfortable situation.

“Yes, this is where I’ve always called home. My parents have a place outside the city but my apartment is right in the middle of everything. I like knowing I can get to pretty much anything I need in less than five minutes.”

“Refill?” Valerie asked, nodding to Harper’s glass. A woman pushed a cart past the doors and stopped near the table, setting out glasses of water before moving away.

“Yes, thank you.” Valerie busied herself at the wet bar again and Harper shifted, trying and failing not to meet Robert’s stare. It wasn’t hostile but she could feel the scrutiny in his gaze.

Ethan’s hand moved over her lower back as he sipped his drink. Silence swirled around them and heat climbed into her cheeks. She expected it to be awkward, maybe even a little unfriendly considering who she was, but aside from Robert’s questions it had been pleasant so far.

Just as Ethan’s mother gave her a fresh glass of tea, another woman came into the room. “Dinner is ready,” she said softly.

They moved to the patio when Ethan pulled out her chair and then sat next to her. The sun had just dipped below the horizon and lights that looked like old lampposts from decades ago lit up around them, casting their table in a warm glow.

The scent of the ocean swirled around them every time a light breeze blew lifted the ends of her hair.

“We’re ready, Martha,” Valerie said to the woman, who immediately moved to the cart and began setting plates around the table. A beautiful arrangement of basil, tomato and slices of mozzarella fanned across the plate and was drizzled with balsamic and olive oil.

Simple and elegant.

Her father would ostentatiously served caviar and truffles just to prove he could.

She cut off a small bite and closed her eyes when the taste hit her tongue. “This is delicious,” she said to Valerie.

“The basil and tomato are from the kitchen garden. I enjoy eating what’s in season,” Valerie said.

Harper took another bite and reached for her iced tea. Everything was so amazing.

“So does your father think he has a chance at this slander suit?” Robert asked. “It’s pretty ballsy to turn around and countersue someone you stole from.”

Her hand shook and tea sloshed out onto the tablecloth. Her eyes widened. “I’m so sorry,” she said to Valerie, who waved away the concern with a smile.

Ethan tensed and his