Chapter 11

Andrew

“Mr. Andrew?” Liam said, pushing open the library door slowly.

“In here,” I said. I waved him over without looking up.

When I woke up that morning, I sought refuge in the library. It was far enough away from Sophie’s room that I felt certain she wouldn’t wander in. Still, part of me almost hoped she would. There was something about her that kept pulling me in, despite my best efforts to avoid her.

“I was hoping we could talk,” Liam said when he finally reached me.

I laid my book down on my chest and lifted my face to meet Liam’s gaze. He was standing above me with a deep frown etched on his face. I’d seen that same expression a thousand times before. I knew it well.

With a sigh, I sat up straighter and gestured for Liam to sit down. He pulled up a chair to sit across from me. When he sat down, he made sure to keep his posture straight and perfect, as always.

“What is it, Liam?” I asked.

“It’s about Miss Sophie,” Liam said. “And the dinner you two shared last night.”

“What about it?” I sighed and looked away. This was the last thing I wanted to talk about.

“You were rather harsh toward her,” Liam said.

I looked back at him with a sharp glare. Was he really going to lecture me about Sophie? Did he not remember the things she said at dinner?

“She was trying to weasel her way into my study,” I snapped. “Didn’t you hear her?”

“She was offering her help,” Liam said calmly. “And expressing an interest in your work. That doesn’t mean she’s planning something duplicitous.”

“Why else would she want access to my study?” I asked. “To the pieces I have in there?”

“Curiosity,” Liam said. “You heard her yourself. She loves those artifacts. She was raised around this world, just like you. The only difference is, she didn’t get to travel and see these things uncovered. That was a privilege you had, Mr. Andrew.”

“I find it hard to believe she never went on a single dig,” I said coldly. “Her parents were always gone. Always exploring.”

“She said she didn’t go with them,” Liam said simply.

“And you believe that?” I asked. “You believe her?”

“She seems perfectly trustworthy to me,” Liam said.

I snorted and looked away. Liam was being naïve. We both witnessed Rick break into my home. We caught him red-handed in my office. If that was any indication of the Newman family’s way of life, I couldn’t possibly trust Sophie. Not with the priceless artifacts currently housed inside my office.

“She’s not her father,” Liam said softly.

“What?” I snapped.

“How many times have you told me that you are nothing like Mr. George?” Liam asked. “It’s been your mantra since he passed away.”

“So?” I asked, my frustration growing.

“Isn’t it possible that Miss Sophie feels the same way?” Liam asked. “Perhaps she, like you, is nothing like the man who raised her.”

“How can I take that chance, Liam?” I asked. “What if you’re wrong about her? What if this whole thing was just a ruse to steal from me?”

“Do you believe that?” Liam asked.

I didn’t answer. Two days ago, I would have said yes. I believed the Newman family to be capable of anything. Now, I wasn’t so sure.

“I don’t know what to believe,” I said. “But I know I don’t trust Sophie around my office.”

“That’s your choice,” Liam said. “But I think you would do well to remember she’s a guest in your home. While what her father did was terrible, Miss Sophie has done nothing wrong.”

“Yet.”

“Mr. Andrew,” Liam said warningly.

I sighed and shook my head. He was right. So far, Sophie had given me no reason not to trust her. And yet, I couldn’t shake the horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.

It was hard to believe her questions came from curiosity and not something more. Now that she was living in my home, it would have been all too easy for her to sneak off with something valuable. Maybe that was her father’s plan all along.

I shook my head and looked out the window. My paranoia was getting the best of me. I couldn’t let myself dwell on the past. What Rick did was criminal, but it was over. He was no longer welcomed in my home, and once Sophie’s job was done, she too would be gone.

“She’s here to help you,” Liam said.

“She’s here to help her father,” I corrected him sharply.

Liam nodded. “That’s true, too.”

“What do you want me to do, Liam?” I asked. “Induct her into the company completely? Hand over the key to our warehouse and turn a blind eye to whatever she does with it?”

“Of course not,” Liam said. “I just wish you would be kind to her while she’s here.”

I glared at Liam, but my expression quickly softened. I sighed and shook my head. Liam was right, and I hated him for it. It was easier to distrust Sophie, to keep her at arm’s length, and pretend like she didn’t exist. Being near her only made things more complicated.

“Just think about it,” Liam said. “That’s all I’m asking.”

Liam got his feet. I nodded and watched as he made his way back across the room. He didn’t look back as he disappeared into the hallway. Once again, I was alone to dwell on my own thoughts. I thought it was what I wanted, to enjoy my solitude, but it wasn’t.

Suddenly, the library felt barren. I couldn’t stand to sit there for another second.