Free Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe: Roadside Assistance (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Casey Hagen

to change who I am as a person.”
    He swatted her behind and handed her back her coffee. “Why did you agree to this? Spas don’t seem like they would be your thing.”
    She shrugged. “They aren’t. I don’t do my nails, hardly ever wear makeup, and I certainly don’t spend every six weeks in a salon; but this is important to your mother, and she’s trying.”
    He scoffed. “You call this trying?”
    “When I first arrived, she was almost stern, definitely unsure, but she warmed up. Then, she was sweet to me. Clearly, she doesn’t know what to do with me, but she’s trying and I appreciate that.”
    “Well, you’re more understanding than I expected.”
    “What’s there to be understanding of? They’re just being who they are. They don’t have to be like me, I don’t have to be like them, but I can play in their world and appreciate the effort they’re making. Maybe it’s time you cut them a little slack and gave them a little credit.”
    “I don’t know if I would go that far.”
    “Lathan, you brought home a tow truck driver named Jack, and within hours they treated me as family.”
    “At least they treat one of us that way.” The words slipped out before he could stop them.
    “Lathan—”
    The pealing of the doorbell startled them both. “We’ll talk about it later. That’s probably my mother, which means you’d better suck down that cup of coffee because she’s going to be ready to roll.”
    For once, he was grateful for his mother’s arrival. His mother whisked Jack away and he headed for his office.
    Everett joined him within the hour and they got down to business. Lathan tried to focus on the contracts he had to review, but every grunt, shuffling of papers, and glare out of Everett had him wondering what the hell he had missed.
    Everett dropped his glasses to the desk and scrubbed at his eyes. “You have a major problem on your hands, Lathan.”
    “Hit me with it.”
    “About six months before your brother passed, I told him about an investment opportunity in a chain of resort communities Markham Properties planned for along the East Coast. He jumped on it and has made a solid profit ever since. You’re missing money because Davis Conroy, your Chief Financial Officer, authorized the sale of your brother’s percentage in the company.”
    Lathan shot out of his chair. “What the hell gave him the idea he could get away with that?”
    “Conroy wasn’t on board with the decision. He’s old school, or just old. Anyway, Conroy worked with your dad. He’s a smart man, but he doesn’t like anyone younger coming in and telling him how to do things. He was used to Bradford following his guidance. Liam followed his guidance, too, until the Markham project. Conroy didn’t like my recommendation. He flat out didn’t trust me at all. Liam disregarded his advice and took mine. Made some serious money when he did, which, now, you’re losing.”
    Lathan paced behind his desk. “Let me ask you something…do you know someone who can take over a CFO position? Someone I can trust implicitly?”
    Everett slid off his glasses and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I do; she’s one of my people. Her name is Emilia. She’d be an asset if she’s willing to leave Harden Financial and take a chance on you. She’s the best I’ve got.”
    Lathan flattened his palms on his desk and leaned on them. “I don’t want to leave you short-handed.”
    Everett shook his head and slid his glasses back on. “Don’t worry about it. She belongs in a company like yours. Right now, she’s just a numbers wizard for me and my clients. She’s capable of a hell of a lot more. I wouldn’t recommend her if I didn’t think she had what it takes to do the job.”
    “I’ll need her soon.”
    “I’ll call her right now.” Everett pulled out his cell and scrolled through his contacts. Before he hit send, he glanced back up to Lathan. “You know, you didn’t authorize the sale, so it’s fraudulent, which