Free Bachelor Unforgiving by Brenda Jackson

be there and it will be a great place to be seen with her. For you to bring her around your parents will give the impression the two of you are serious.”
    Matthew glanced at his watch. “I need to run. Can’t keep my queen waiting.” And then he opened the door and was gone.
    Virgil sat down at his desk and stared at the closed door for a long moment while thinking that some days it didn’t pay to get out of bed. He built a steeple with his fingers while leaning back in deep thought. His father naturally assumed he would fall in line with every one of Kara’s recommendations since he expected his son to put the needs of Bougard Enterprises before his own.
    Virgil knew there was no good reason for him not to go along with everything Kara had suggested. And taking everything into consideration, he also knew Xavier was right. Kara would be the logical choice if he did so.
    He stood, walked over to the window and shoved his hands in his pockets as he looked out. How would she feel if he suggested such a thing? For all he knew she was already in a relationship with someone. He hadn’t made it his business to keep tabs on her since their breakup. As far as he’d been concerned, the less he knew about what was going on with her, the better.
    He had to admit that rekindling an affair with Kara would seem more believable to people than for him to suddenly develop a deep interest in one of his lovers. Why did the thought of having to spend so much time with Kara twist his insides into knots? Considering their strained relationship, could the two of them even pull such a thing off?
    His cell phone rang and from the ringtone he knew it was York. He and his wife Darcy lived in New York. Pulling the phone out of his pocket, he clicked it on. “Yes, Y?”
    â€œJust giving you an update. I’ve been gathering information on Whitney Hilton’s past as you requested, but you might want me to take a look at her old man’s, as well.”
    â€œMarv Hilton? Why?”
    â€œI’m finding stuff on him that’s rather interesting.”
    Virgil nodded. “Interesting enough to use as leverage to make him back off?”
    â€œPossibly. He’s a businessman. One who’s well thought of in the community. I’m sure he wouldn’t want anything from his past to resurface that could tarnish his image like he’s trying to do to yours. What’s the saying? Don’t try cleaning up somebody else’s house unless yours is spotless.”
    â€œI see what you mean. Let’s see what we can find that could possibly stop him in his tracks.”
    â€œWill do.”
    After hanging up the phone, Virgil leaned back against the windowsill. If York was to find some damaging information on old man Hilton, then...
    Virgil knew he couldn’t get his hopes up on that possibility. Even if York was onto something, it might take weeks before Virgil received a final report. So he was back to square one. The action plan Kara had devised.
    He knew what he had to do. Drawing in a deep sigh he walked back over to his desk and picked up his phone. “Yes, Mr. Bougard?”
    â€œPam, please get Kara Goshay on the line.”
    * * *
    Kara looked up from her documents. “Yes, Janice?”
    â€œSomeone is here to see you and he doesn’t have an appointment.”
    Kara raised an arched brow. “Who is it?”
    From the tone of Janice’s voice, it was apparent whoever had dropped by without an appointment was standing within listening range of their conversation.
    â€œMr. Virgil Bougard and he says he needs to speak with you immediately.”
    Kara frowned. Virgil had called twice today already, but at the time, she hadn’t had the inclination to talk to him and had told Janice to tell him that she would call him back by the end of the day. She’d taken as much of him as she could at dinner last night. Dealing with him had left her emotionally drained