"He offered to invest in Lawson Customs." I said and Victoria closed her eyes briefly.
"I was afraid he would." She said as I stared at her.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because if you accepted his money, he would eventually expect something in return." She said.
"I knew that." I said.
"Do you?" She asked.
"What are you saying?" I asked and Victoria looked at me.
"Charles rarely gives anything without expecting loyalty." She said.
"That's why I refused." I said and she nodded slowly.
"Good." She said and I wrapped both hands around my coffee.
"I don't want his money." I said.
"I know." She said.
"I don't want revenge either. I don't want to destroy him." I said and Victoria looked surprised.
"Paige." She said.
"I mean it." I said as I looked out the window.
"I've spent too much time bei
