TRISTAN MAY HAVE SPENT large portions of the last few weeks ditching decorum and order, but right now, he was diving in headfirst. He froze a professional smile in place as he approached the conference room.

Ralph Wolfram sat in the seat at one end of the oval table. He was leaned back casually. He straightened, but didn’t stand when Tristan entered the room.

Power-play via body language. Tristan didn’t let it faze him. He shook the older man’s hand. “I only have a few minutes, but I’m glad you stopped by.”

“I won’t take much of your time.” Ralph settled back when Tristan did. “I’m sorry for not making an appointment, but I haven’t been able to clear my calendar, and this spot opened up last minute.”

Bullshit. He’d stopped by without calling, specifically to find out if Tristan would fit him in at the drop of a hat. “I understand. Life is so hectic these days.”

“I’ll make this quick, since you’re short on time. I understand you recently assumed full ownership of this firm.”

“I did.” It wasn’t a secret that Tristan had paid Mischa for his stake in the business, so Mischa could pay off the debt he owed Wolfram.

“As you know, I’ve always admired the work you do. The gift you have for finding those diamonds in the rough when it comes to property, and flipping them.”

“I believe you’ve mentioned that, yes.” Tristan boxed up his impatience with the way the conversation plodded along.

“And I’m always looking for ways to expand my ventures.”

Tristan was still working on how to broach the question about the audit without diving into a baseless accusation, but the comment sidetracked him. “I’m not looking for additional funding for any properties. I think you’ll understand when I say I’d rather forgo the stress associated with the tight deadlines.”

“I should have been clearer. I’m not talking about a loan. I’m interested in a long-term partnership.” Ralph’s tone was smooth and his confidence never wavered.

Definitely not. “I’m not looking for a business partner either.”

“Hear the basics of my proposal before you write me off. Starting with my assurance that this is a silent partnership. I don’t want to disrupt what you do, I just want a piece of the pie. If pumping more capital into your firm gets me that, I’m willing.”

At least he was honest about that, and he had Tristan curious now. “I’m listening.” He wasn’t considering the deal, and wouldn’t, but he had to know what it was.

“Before we go much further, I should point out I do have some concerns about doing this. I want to be up front with those, because I suspect they’re easily cleared up.”

Tristan leaned in, forearms resting on the table. “What kind of concerns?”

“I had my team do the opening pieces of due diligence, before approaching you. Basic information based on public knowledge and any shared business you and I have. I was concerned to discover that warehouse Mischa Dozniyov donated recently, was signed over to After School Kids while we still held the deed as collateral against your firm’s loan.”

“Is that why we’re being audited?” Fuck me. He didn’t even have to come out and ask about it, the other man offered the answer up without flinching.

Wolfram’s wide-eyed shock was marred by the smirk that twisted his mouth. “Not being privy to the details of your business, I can’t say for certain, but giving away property you owe a debt on would draw suspicion. If it’s a matter of a misplaced timestamp, I might be able to help.”

Tristan barely suppressed his are you fucking kidding me? “I think I’m misunderstanding, because it sounds like you’re extorting me.”

“That’s a serious accusation.” This time Ralph’s surprise looked genuine, as if he hadn’t expected Tristan to lay the situation out bluntly. “I’m talking about an honest mistake that I’d like to work with you to correct, and you’re accusing me of something illegal in return.”

“Hmm.” Tristan kept his tone neutral and brief, to see how much more Ralph would say without prodding.

“Why would you think— Ah. You’ve been talking to Georgia. I forgot my daughter not only works for you, but has your ear.”

“Ash is my Head of Information Technology. We talk a lot.”

“Did she also tell you I’m spiteful, I write mean contracts, and I hate everyone I work with?”

She didn’t need to tell Tristan most of those things, he’d gleaned them for himself. “Her personal opinions only matter when they impact my business.”

“Well said. Very non-committal. One of many things I like about you.” Ralph had regained his composure.

Tristan wasn’t impressed with the compliment. It made him a little queasy to think it might be sincere. “Thanks.”

“Something my daughter fails to understand is I’m not a comic book super villain, I’m a businessman. The thing I’d like you to keep in mind is that she was sixteen when she left home.”

“I don’t understand your point.”

Wolfram adopted a smile that matched his last name. “That was the last time she had access to my paperwork. I’m not saying I’ve changed my practices since then, far from it. Another thing you and I have in common is we run a consistent business.”

“Fantastic.” He was struggling to keep his emotions in check. Every flavor of rage and disgust pulsed inside, ringing in his ears.

“When she was fourteen, she wanted to download a game for her sister.” Ralph chuckled nervously. It was grating. “I can’t believe I’m telling you something so personal, but I trust you. Her adoration for Kelly is her saving grace.”

Revulsion joined the mix inside Tristan, that the man was talking about his own child with so much disdain. It was amplified by the respect Tristan had for Ash.

“She got into my computer because she wanted to change the router security,” Ralph said. “I had a contract open at the time, and she read through it.”

“Precocious child.” A hint of admiration slipped into Tristan’s reply.

Ralph raised an eyebrow. “Indeed. When you were fourteen, did you understand legalese? Hell, I barely understand it now. As for everything else she has to say about me, and I’m making assumptions based on the accusations she’s cast in my direction... As a single parent my girls accompanied me to many dinners with colleagues. If Georgia had things her way, I’d write everyone I did business with a blank check. A lovely idea, but you know how impractical that is.”

“I do. In other words, if she did tell me anything, I’d need to take it with a grain of salt, because she was just a kid who didn’t understand.”

“You see my point.”

Tristan stood. “I’m glad you stopped by today, this has been a good chat.” His voice was smooth, successfully hiding his disgust.

“I feel the same.” Ralph rose as well.

“I’d like to look more at this partnership proposal. Can you send me any preliminary paperwork?” He still had no intention of doing business with Wolfram, but the phrase know your enemy repeated in his thoughts.

Ralph shook his hand. “Absolutely. I’ll get you an NDA first, and once that’s signed, we’ll move forward with next steps.”

“I look forward to it.” Tristan saw him to the front door. As soon as Ralph was gone, he let the mask slip away. He didn’t expect to find anything damning in the proposal, Ralph Wolfram played his game too well to let something like that happen, but the NDA was suspicious.

More important, now Tristan had an idea of what triggered the investigation, and that gave him a direction to look for a resolution.

He glanced at his watch. It was after two. That meeting took more than an hour?

Victoria. Shit.

*

WHEN VICTORIA ARRIVED at the doctor’s office, and didn’t see Tristan’s car in the parking lot, she wasn’t surprised. She arrived early, to make sure they got her in on time, but she’d assured him he didn’t have to be here until right before the appointment start time.

She signed in, and waited.

Another girl sat across from her, holding a baby who fussed every time his mother tried to put him back in his car seat. She glanced at Victoria, apology and worry etched on her face.

Victoria gave her a reassuring smile and tried to look less fidgety while she waited.

“Lorraine,” Rae, the nurse at the front desk called.

The girl took her baby and approached.

“Your insurance didn’t go through.” Rae’s voice was kind. “You’re going to need to pay up front before you see the doctor. You can make other arrangements next time if payment will be an issue.”

Lorraine’s smile looked forced. “Right. Sure.” She tried to leaf through her purse one-handed. “I can, um... I just... I might have enough—”

“How old are you, doll?” Victoria asked kindly. She was already reaching into the appropriate pocket of her purse for the appropriate pamphlet and associated discount card.

Lorraine looked at her, eyes wide. “Seventeen.” Her reply was so soft, it barely reached across the small waiting room.

Victoria stepped to the front desk as she popped the perforated card from its slot, and slid the information to Rae. “She’s using this discount plan.” Victoria turned to Rae, and set the rest of the paperwork on the counter in front of her. “You’ll need to go to the website and register when you’re done here. You have to do that to keep the plan active after your first visit.”

“I can’t afford to sign up for anything.” Lorraine frowned.

“It’s a free plan.” Victoria kept her voice kind. “As long as you register before you’re eighteen, it offers free wellness visits for you and the baby, until he’s five.”

Lorraine gave her a tentative smile. “Thank you.”

“But you will need to fill out additional paperwork.” Rae slid a clipboard across the counter.

Lorraine shifted her baby to her hip, and grabbed the information. As she tried to settle the child in his car seat, he screamed.

“May I?” Victoria sat next to her and nodded at the baby.

“Yes. His name is Paul.”

Victoria picked up baby Paul, and cradled him in her arms. He stared at her wide-eyed for a moment, then burbled up a series of spit bubbles.

“Oh jeez, I’m sorry.” Lorrain dug through a diaper bag and handed Victoria a rag.

Victoria should be disgusted. The spit would dribble on her jacket and make a mess. She couldn’t find it in her to be upset. “It’s okay.” She took the rag and dabbed the baby’s face clean.

He grabbed for her finger, and she let him wrap a tiny hand around it. The smooth skin against hers, and curious eyes staring up at her sparked something inside. Such an amazing, tiny life.

And she’d be taking care of one of her own soon. The realization sank in with a weight she hadn’t experienced before now. It was suddenly so much more real. She crooked her finger so he could gnaw on her skin.

It was easy enough to say she was going to be a mother. The weight gain, mood swings, and morning sickness were solid indicators. But until now, it hadn’t hit her now much she was looking forward to it.

To bringing a tiny life into this world, and watching and helping them grow and learn.

Another thing occurred to her. She was really grateful Tristan was not only willing to be, but insistent on being involved.

There was a nagging disappointment inside, like a tiny pebble in a shoe, that he’d only be there part time. But at least she wouldn’t be doing this alone.

When Lorraine finished her paperwork, Victoria handed Paul back. The warm glow inside didn’t fade. She was going to be a mom, and damn it, she was happy about it.

The clock dragged past one-thirty, and there was no sign of Tristan. Work must have him held up.

When a nurse called her back, she checked her phone one last time before silencing it. Nothing.

She paused at the front desk. “My—” boyfriend? Fuck buddy? “The baby’s father is on his way. Will you send him back when he gets here?”

“Sure, hon.”

Victoria made her way back to an exam room. She resisted the urge to check her phone again as she answered the standard questions, had her vitals collected, and went through the same things as the last couple of visits.

He wasn’t going to show. She couldn’t fight her disappointment. Sure he’d promised, but it was an off-the-cuff thing. A last-minute decision.

“Everything looks good,” the doctor said. “See you back here in four weeks.”

Victoria smiled and thanked her. When she turned her ringer back on, she saw the missed call from Tristan.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she snarled at the reaction. She dialed into voicemail.

“I’m so sorry. Give me a call back when you have a minute, please?” He sounded sincere enough.

She waited until she was seated in her car to call him back.

“I’m sorry,” he answered.

“So you said.” She tried to keep her voice light. “If you’re planning on making a habit of this, warn me now. Because if you’ve decided work will take priority, I’ll rethink your involvement.” An edge slipped into her teasing.

“Which you’d be right to do. I have an excuse if you want to hear it. I promise it’s a good one.”

It had better be. “Sure. I’m listening.”

“Ralph Wolfram stopped by the office.”

“Oh.” Victoria’s anger evaporated, replaced with a gnawing anxiety.

“Yeah. He wants to buy into my business. As a silent partner. And I know what the IRS has on us.”

She let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. “That’s a pretty damn good excuse. Is it something I can take back to my boss?”

“It is.” He filled her in on Wolfram’s implication that the building donation paperwork was signed before the closing paperwork.

“If that’s the case, it must have only been a couple of hours at the most. Would they really be so uptight about a narrow window like that?”

“I don’t know. If someone’s having a bad day, it’s enough to make our lives miserable in court for a while. It’s definitely enough to make them dig deeper and see if either of us missed anything else. Your organization has more to worry about there than mine.”

He had a good point. Victoria flopped back, her skull striking the headrest. While the charity did their best to do everything by the letter of the law, if someone was digging, and wanted to find something, the odds seemed good that they would.

That was a possibility before, too, but now that she knew the auditors had a legitimate reason for looking, it made the situation seem that much bleaker.