Devious Intentions (Carson Cove Scandals 3)

“We’ll figure your future out when the time is right.” Edgar cleared his throat. “Okay, who is ready to eat?”

“Me!” My mother nodded and smiled.

The food was served, and Edgar tried to engage everyone in conversation, but it was just as awkward as I imagined. My mother chimed in—I tried to say a few things to be polite—and Jenny just ignored everyone at the table. She dressed the part, but she wasn’t playing it. She mostly just moved her food around on her plate. I would have shoveled all of mine in my mouth and washed it down with a glass of water if it would have ended the evening. Edgar and my mother seemed to be taking their time, so I doubted it would matter. At least if I was eating, I had something to do.

“Oh, you two will be on your own this weekend.” Edgar tilted his head and smiled. “I have some business in the city, and I’ve asked my lovely new wife to accompany me.”

If looks could kill, everyone at the table other than Jenny would be dead after that comment.

“Maybe this will give you an opportunity to get to know each other a little better.” My mother smiled and leaned over to pat my hand.

“Great…” Jenny shoved a piece of her meat to the edge of her plate.

“I’ve asked Pennington to stay behind just in case you need something.” Edgar looked in the direction of his two bodyguards.

“To make sure I don’t leave?” Jenny dropped her fork and glared at her father.

“You’re not a prisoner, Jenny.” Edgar narrowed his eyes.

“Sure, keep telling yourself that.” Jenny slid her chair back. “This has been fun and all, but I have homework to do. A scholarship might be the only way I get into college.”

“Jenny, sit down…” Edgar exhaled sharply.

“If I’m not a prisoner, I don’t have to sit here and eat with you.” Jenny left the room before Edgar could response.

“I’m sorry, Leigh.” Edgar shook his head back and forth. “I really hoped we could have one nice meal together as a family.”

“It’s okay.” I put down my fork. “I’m sure this situation is tough for everyone.”

“I’m glad you understand.” Edgar nodded and let out a long sigh. “She’ll be fine; she just needs time to adjust to everything.”

I don’t know if it’s going to be that simple…

The rest of the dinner was a lot less awkward once Jenny left the table. I didn’t participate in their conversation much, but they didn’t seem to mind. They talked about their trip, and my mother mentioned a party that they were planning to have. Edgar said he had a surprise for her but didn’t say what it was. I really didn’t care about any of that—I was making plans in my head. If Edgar was planning to leave later that night, I wasn’t going to waste and opportunity to look around. His office hadn’t provided me any leads, but it had been a few days since I checked it. All I needed was a clue or a breadcrumb that would help me make sense of what I overheard when he was talking on the phone.

It might be another dead end, but I need to try…

“This was delicious. Thank you.” I looked over at Edgar once I was finished with my food.

“You can join us for dinner anytime, you know.” He lifted his head and smiled. “There will always be a spot for you.”

“I would like that.” My mother nodded. “Especially after you quit your job so you can focus on school.”

“I’m not going to quit my job…” I sighed and shook my head.

“You could always come work for me at Sinn Technology if you’re determined to do something productive with your free time.” Edgar leaned back in his chair.

“I’ll—keep that in mind.” I nodded and forced a smile.

“I’m sure you’ll be way too busy once you start taking real classes.” My mother patted my hand.

“They’re still real—even if they’re online.” I wanted to say more than that, but I bit my tongue.

“I’m sure you’ll see the difference next semester.” My mother leaned back in her chair.

As if you would know—you barely finished high school.

There was a time in my life when I would have been doing cartwheels if the CEO of Sinn Technology had offered me a job—I would have done cartwheels for an internship, even if I wasn’t getting paid to work there. Instead, I was trying to figure out if there was a way to send the CEO back to prison, where I was almost certain he belonged. Even if he wasn’t involved in something illegal, there was a good chance his plan was morally corrupt in some capacity.