It had taken Jonas too long to agree to my surprising Layla in his park. Even the big check hadn’t convinced him. Jonas was protective of her. Therefore, Ali had to explain the situation to Jonas. I was not a man that accepted no. And Jonas was not the sort of man that could say no to me. After that, Jonas took the check.
Layla hit me with a seducing gaze. “What brought you to New York?”
“Your employer’s party gained the attention of an unsavory character.”
“The man that kept wanting to play with my feet?”
“That’s him.” A bit of anger hit me. Of course it wasn’t directed at her. I just knew Archer’s intentions for Layla and her feet. The very idea of her being in danger shoved me on edge. “Why do you work with Mr. Meade?”
She looked caught off by the answer. “Well. . .he’s helping me with something.”
“What?”
She raised her eyebrows. “It’s private.”
“What if I could help you too?”
“I don’t think you can.” She looked uneasy as she focused on her plate, moving potatoes around with her fork. “It deals with my sister.”
“I would never judge you or your family for any reason.”
Although, I do want to know why you have her tied up.
Layla put the fork down and picked up her champagne. “My sister, Tina has been addicted to drugs for many years. Our parents were the same way.”
Hmmm. Now I’m understanding. Are you trying to detox her?
I studied her. “I too had a similar problem with a sibling.”
Layla opened her mouth in shock. “Did it destroy your family?”
“It did. And made me grow up much faster than I wanted.”
“I understand that too well.” Sipping her champagne, she gazed at the carousel. “There’s a lot of times I wished I could have played like other kids. But many times I had to watch over my sister while my parents were out doing God knows what.”
“And then she grows up and falls to drugs herself.”
“It makes me so mad.” Layla drank more of her champagne. This time taking a gulp.
“Because she witnessed what your parents went through and should know better?”
“And. . .” She shook her head. “You know what? Never mind. I’m sorry. This is not the best conversation for this elegant setting. We should talk about—”
“You. That’s why we’re here.”
She blinked.
“What’s the other reason you’re mad?”
Layla took another sip of champagne. “I’m mad because I watched over Tina all my life, making sure she had the best chance at winning. I even filled out her college applications for her and paid for four years of college with my ballet money.”
“I bet you had quite a career in ballet.”
“I did, but. . .unfortunately, I would send her the money to pay for college. And I never saved any for myself.”
That enraged me. I didn’t like that she had given so much of herself away.
She looked back at the carousel. “And then her senior year, I went to her college to visit. Tina kept ignoring my emails asking about her graduation. When I went, I discovered that she’d never gone to college at all.”
“She simply took the money.”
“And partied with it.” Layla finished the champagne.
“And you still take care of her?”
She set the empty glass on the table. “Currently, I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m trying to save her, but. . .I don’t think she wants to be saved.”
So you have her tied up.
I rubbed my chin. “And where does Mr. Meade’s help come in?”
“There’s a luxurious and secluded rehab center in upstate New York. It’s specially designed for those who need extra attention. They have private rooms, a chef, psychologist, and even a massage therapist. The staff-to-guest ratio is 1:1.”
“I’m sure this comes with a big bill.”
“Half a million for six months.”
“Mr. Meade is going to foot the entire bill?”
She nodded. “As long as I finish my five year contract.”
“When does that end?”
“Next spring.”
I want you out of those parties long before that.
Another waiter appeared and poured her more champagne.
She smiled. “Thank you.”
The waiter bowed.
I loved how sweet she was to the staff. I’d had so many people serving me for so long that I’d forgotten how to be grateful in their presence.
She glanced at my plate. “You’re not hungry?”
Not for food, Layla.
Visions of my tongue on her pussy hit me. That forced me to finish my champagne just in case I let those images spill out of my mouth.
Concentrate on the mission.
I set the champagne down. “And if I paid the bill for this high-end clinic?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know you enough to—”
“You need to know me to get money?”
“Of course.”
I grinned. “Then, let me tell you more about me.”
“Sounds good.” She sampled more of her lobster. “But, I still won’t take your money.”
I chuckled. “You’re a very hard woman to spoil.”
“I just don’t trust gifts that come by too easy.”