Roses For Sophie Part 13

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he drew her against him again and let out a long breath as she wrapped her arms around him and clung tight.

You and I are good for each other, Sophie. We've each built up defensive walls and I'm beginning to realise they're not protecting us - they're imprisoning us. You're living in a fortress of your own making the same way I am, and something's telling me that we need each other so we can be free.'

Drawing away from him, she looked up at him, her eyes a sea of watery green. That's pretty deep.'

The sound he made was one of self-consciousness. You bring out a depth in me I didn't know I had.'

Sophie got up from the bed. I can't be here with you tonight. I need some s.p.a.ce.'

As much as he didn't want to let her go because he wanted to be the one to provide her with comfort when she was feeling so b.l.o.o.d.y low, he understood she wanted time out to think.

He nodded. Do me a favour, Sophie?'

She raised one eyebrow in enquiry.

Don't shut me out.'

Seconds dragged.

Finally she inclined her head in agreement.

Bathroom is through that door,' he told her. Why don't you go and wash those tears away while I go downstairs and get your clothes?'

Thanks,' she answered very quietly.

The lines of strain were etched around her mouth and eyes, and it was h.e.l.l walking away from her, but he knew she was feeling raw and he had to respect her need to pull herself together in her own time and in her own way.

Chapter 10.

Six o'clock. Just another half hour and Logan would pick her up. Then she could forget all the problems and pressures of her workday and indulge in her fourth successive night of sensual bliss. Her lips curved into a smile of satisfaction. Logan was an incredible lover and she had no regrets. The second night they'd been together, he'd challenged her about how many times he'd made her laugh. There'd been plenty of laughter between them since then, plenty of s.e.xy banter and flirtation and many, many sighs of sensual satisfaction.

Wednesday night something had s.h.i.+fted between them. He'd been serious in his suggestion that they make a go of a real marriage rather than the temporary arrangement he'd first advocated. When she'd confided in him that she couldn't have any children he'd tried to rea.s.sure her that it wasn't important to him, and offered her the chance to be a mother to Charlotte, but had also respected her need for distance. He'd phoned the following morning to make sure she was okay, asked her to see him again last night and she'd agreed. She simply hadn't been able to stay away.

The news years ago that she wasn't likely to be able to have children had been a devastating blow. Her coping mechanism had been to throw herself harder into her work for children's charities and to convince herself that being MD of Carlisle Mining was going to bring her all the fulfilment and satisfaction she needed in life. For a while, she'd believed her own spin. Now she'd met Logan, all the convictions she'd tried to instil about what she wanted out of her future were crumbling around her.

If she married Logan and he won custody of Charlotte, Sophie could have what she'd always most desired - a husband and a child to love. But love was the sticking point. She still couldn't bring herself to marry again when Logan was offering her a relations.h.i.+p with caring but not love as its basis.

Sophie turned off her laptop and as the screen darkened, she looked at her reflection. Did she look any different? Yes, she did. No longer did she feel like donning the business suits she'd always favoured. Now she craved more feminine clothing, and yesterday at lunchtime she'd raced into a city store and ordered an entirely new wardrobe for work. Trousers had been replaced by skirts, dark colours by lighter, more feminine ones.

More feminine. That was exactly how she felt. She couldn't remember ever having felt so happy and light. Against Logan's masculine strength, she felt softer and she loved that difference between his masculinity and her femininity.

Previously, because she operated in the male-dominated business world of mining, she'd thought she needed to suppress her femininity to be taken seriously. No longer did she want to hide her softer side. Everything in her rejoiced at being a woman when she was with Logan, and she didn't want to make the transition back to being the Ice Princess when she left him and travelled to the corporate offices.

He'd made more of an impact on her than he would ever realise.

Closing the screen of her laptop, she placed it in a desk drawer and locked it away. The weekend stretched ahead of her. Tomorrow morning they'd drive up to the Hunter Valley to her grandfather's estate, they would announce their engagement and their relations.h.i.+p would come under close scrutiny not only from her grandfather, but also from her ex-husband, Jake, who'd be there with his wife, Amanda.

Jake had remained protective of her since their divorce. The meeting between Logan and Jake could prove interesting.

At least when she'd introduced Logan to Sue last night, he'd pa.s.sed that test with flying colours. Sue hadn't been able to stop gus.h.i.+ng about him in a brief phone call this morning, and had told Sophie she was a total nut if she didn't go along with his offer of marriage.

Even though she didn't want to think about reverting back to a life without Logan, Sophie still wasn't prepared to go walking down the aisle with him. Yes, he made her feel fabulous and she enjoyed every second of being with him, but to marry him without love would be selling herself short. This lovemaking was mind-blowing, but she couldn't let go of the thought that being loved would be even more wonderful.

So much for giving up on romantic notions!

Focus. One day at a time. You're feeling great and you'll achieve your initial objective of making your grandfather happy if he believes in your relations.h.i.+p with Logan.

Sue was sure Rigby would believe they were totally smitten with each other, and it was just as well. Rigby had told Sophie over the phone that he was delighted Logan was the mystery love of her life'.

He's a good, smart operator,' Rigby had said. I've followed his career and I have to say he's a businessman I respect. He's made the whole world sit up and listen, and brought changes in the diamond industry that were way overdue. You've got a good one there, Sophie. Don't let him get away.'

Hm. The words were high praise coming from her grandfather. He didn't give praise easily and Logan did deserve it. The research she'd done on him revealed a man who'd finished university with first-cla.s.s honours in a double commerce and law degree. Immediately after graduation he'd earned a top job with a New York finance company. Within a couple of years, he'd earned a reputation as being a financial wizard, making his first million in just a few months. He'd left the company, formed his own, continued to ama.s.s wealth through clever investing and then decided to plough a considerable deal of his fortune into Canadian diamond mines. After the success of that venture, the media didn't even begin to speculate upon his worth.

But Logan had more on his mind than making money. She'd been amazed at all the inside information he'd told her about the sale of the precious diamonds mined in African war zones and how they were used to finance the efforts of warlords.

That Logan was deeply committed to the cause and continued to campaign against blood diamonds after his escape from rebels, made her admire him even more. He was a good man. He'd been instrumental in strengthening the diamond industry's ability to block sales of conflict diamonds through an international certification system. He'd gone beyond that, contributing vast sums of money to existing aid projects in order to try to break the poverty cycle and hopefully make corruption less necessary for those who were barely eking out a living.

Logan Jackson was handsome, successful, wealthy way beyond Sophie's grandfather's worth, and he had a conscience. Sophie could hardly believe that he was her lover. For now, anyway.

He could be your husband, a little voice tempted.

A knock on her opened office door broke into her thoughts. Carlisle Mining's senior accountant stood at the threshold, a large briefcase in hand.

Patrick. You're working late on a Friday night. What can I do for you?' Sophie asked.

The middle-aged man's brow was deeply furrowed. h.e.l.lo, Sophie.'

Please, sit down.'

I'm sorry to worry you with this,' he said as he took a seat, especially before you head off for the weekend to celebrate your grandfather's birthday. I'm afraid it just couldn't wait.'

Sophie got up from behind her desk and walked around to take a seat closer to Patrick. He looked terribly uncomfortable, and she knew a deep sense of foreboding. Tell me what's troubling you.'

His shoulders rose as he took in a deep breath, then they fell just as dramatically. I've spent the last couple of days going over a number of figures for the last quarter and I've found some disturbing patterns.'

Her hand tightened around the armrest of the chair. Go on.'

There have been transfers of large amounts between accounts then expenditure from those accounts that I traced to off-sh.o.r.e accounts. On several occasions the yields from a couple of the mines on the main company statements didn't match up with the initial individual reports from the mine managers.'

Was the production from the mines understated on the main records?'

Yes.'

Apprehension gripped her. And the sales figures from the production of those mines?'

The figures have been adjusted. Money has been siphoned off into three major accounts and then withdrawn. It was done very cleverly. I almost missed it.'

On whose authority?' But she was fairly certain she knew the answer. There were only three people within the company who possessed the authority to initiate such an action.

Patrick's skin looked sallow, his lips bloodless as he shook his head sadly. Your cousin signed the paperwork. It was witnessed by his personal a.s.sistant.'

Sophie sank back into the chair, feeling sick.

I'm afraid there's more, Sophie.'

Lips pressed together tightly, she straightened and prepared herself for another blow.

Felix's business expense claims have gone through the roof. The charges on his company card for entertainment, weekends away and hotel rooms have blown the limit on his card each month since he's been in charge. I didn't draw your attention to it because I didn't think it was my place. In isolation, his expenditure was excessive and seemed to be a rort, but with all that has come to light...'

My cousin's committing fraud and robbing the company blind.' Her voice was flat. It looks like his PA is in on it.' And she wouldn't be surprised if all the expenditure was financing an affair between Felix and his beautiful PA. There'd been a few rumours around the office that Felix's personal a.s.sistant had become his very personal a.s.sistant.

The evidence is all here in this briefcase,' Patrick confirmed.

Sophie expelled a long breath and consciously unclenched her fingers from the fists she'd formed as Patrick had dropped his bombsh.e.l.l. Standing, she paced over to the window of her office. Have you taken copies of all this doc.u.mentation?'

Yes.'

Good. Keep them safe and don't mention this to anyone else just yet, especially not to Felix. I'll start going through these figures tonight and when I've finished, I'll confront my cousin.'

This will have to be reported to the authorities as soon as possible.'

I know. Believe me, I have no intention of covering up for Felix. He'll get what he has coming to him and he'll deserve every bit of the justice the courts will mete out. But with Grandfather ill and facing his operation next week, I don't think I can break this to him. He doesn't need that sort of stress right now, so I think it best if we keep it under wraps until he's through his op.'

Patrick hesitated before he stood and walked toward her. I've known you and Felix since you were little kids, coming to these offices with your grandfather on the school holidays. Although it saddens me beyond words to have caught Felix, I can't say I'm surprised. Your grandfather's a tough old warhorse, Sophie. He always said that you never know a man's true nature until you place your entire trust in him and see if he stands by you. He said to me once that he believes in giving people enough rope to hang themselves so he doesn't have to play the role of executioner.'

Patrick's words surprised her. You think he gave Felix and I a turn at managing the company knowing Felix would fail?'

I've known your grandfather for a long time. It wouldn't surprise me at all if that was exactly his intention, and while he'd be hoping in his heart that this would make Felix rather than break him, I think he always wanted to see you at the helm. Despite all the hard decisions he's made over the years in business, he would've found it tough to choose between his grandchildren unless one of them was either incapable of the task or capable of perfidy.'

She felt the area between her brows pleat in a frown. Patrick was right about a few things. Rigby was a thick-skinned, ruthless old business tyc.o.o.n and he had been for as long as she'd known him, but when it came to his grandchildren he had a heart of marshmallow. This betrayal by Felix would still cut deep, even if he'd been suspecting it. Given all he was facing, she'd have to keep it from him. I don't think he'd want Felix to go to jail. He also won't appreciate the company's name being dragged through the mud when all this comes out.'

Sophie's mobile phone rang. Going over to her desk to retrieve it, she saw Logan's number flash up onto the screen, and a little bubble of delight fizzed up like champagne in her bloodstream. Excuse me please, Patrick.' She turned away from the accountant to take the call. h.e.l.lo.'

Hi gorgeous. Are you intending to keep me waiting out here all night or were expecting me to come in and get you?'

It was so good to hear his voice.

I'm really sorry, Logan. Something urgent has just come to my attention. I'm going to have to stay back - possibly for most of the night. I'll have to catch up with you tomorrow morning, but I'll call you and let you know what time.'

She heard the concern in his voice as he asked, Is it something I can help you with?'

If only.

She hesitated. Logan certainly had the financial brains to sift through this mess. He'd probably make sense of it all in double-quick time and then he could make her forget all this and they could both enjoy their night making love together.

No. It was her responsibility to protect her grandfather's company and sort out this mess. It wouldn't do to involve anyone else at this point. If she and Logan were truly making a future together, she wouldn't hesitate, but her relations.h.i.+p with him had no future. Her future was this company.

Sophie?' he asked again.

No thanks. I'll be fine. I'll see you in the morning.' And because she suddenly felt overcome with grief at what her cousin's fraud would do to her grandfather, and with the sadness of knowing this was part of her life she couldn't share with Logan, she disconnected without another word.

Sophie, there's one other thing I need to talk to you about before I leave,' Patrick said.

Donning a mask of professional calm, she turned back toward the accountant. Of course. I really appreciate that you've come to me, Patrick, and that you detected all of this in the first place.'

He nodded. It may be nothing to worry about, but one of the finance lads was talking today and mentioned there's been an escalation in the purchase of Carlisle shares over the last few days.'

The beginnings of a hostile take-over?'

Patrick's lips twisted in uncertainty. It's too early to tell.'

Was it possible for things to get any worse?

Could it be Felix? Could he have used money he's siphoned from the company to set up another company and now be buying up shares?' Anxiety had her biting on her lower lip. Just how many shares would Felix need to buy to put with his own shares that Grandfather had given him, before he could muscle both Sophie and Grandfather right out of the company? Do you know how many shares have been purchased?'

I'm not sure. Legally, if a company gets to 19.9 per cent owners.h.i.+p of another company, they must notify the stock exchange and our company, and launch an aggressive bid. I haven't looked into exactly what's been going on in this case. I'm sorry. I had my hands full with tracing all this money that Felix has shuffled around and I didn't want to delegate my investigations into this, nor to push any panic b.u.t.tons within the staff as far as the share sales went.'

Of course,' she a.s.sured him. You've acted completely in the best interests of the company, and again I can't tell you how grateful I am.'

The irony struck her because she'd been so insistent on safeguarding the future of Carlisle and proving herself the better person for the MD role, yet now there may be another battle looming. If the company were lost, Grandfather would be gutted. Another consequence of the possible takeover bid hit her squarely between the eyes. If there was a takeover, just what would she have to focus on?

Well,' Patrick retrieved the briefcase from the floor next to the chair he'd been sitting on and hefted it up onto her desk. I'd better let you get on with it.' He pulled out a business card and wrote on the back of it. That's my home number. If you need help clarifying any of this, don't hesitate to ring me. It doesn't matter how late or early it is.'

Sophie gave him a brief hug. He looked stunned at her gesture and she realised that she really had changed in the last few days. A part of her was a little ashamed that she'd never made such a personal gesture to Patrick before, given that she'd known him all her life and he'd always been a wonderfully warm man. It was great to feel more at ease with herself, but the more cautious part of her wondered if the timing was so good. In light of all that Carlisle Mining was facing, could she afford to abandon the cool, controlling facade she presented to the corporate world in favour of her more feminine side?

Ah, Sophie?' Patrick ventured.

Yes?'

Try to have a good time this weekend. I spoke to Rigby earlier today and he told me he's rather hoping that this weekend is going to turn into a double celebration.'

He is?' Lost in her own thoughts, she had no idea what Patrick had referred to.

He's hoping you'll be announcing your engagement to Logan Jackson.'

Oh!' She walked with him toward the door. Having agreed to announce their engagement, she was relieved that at least Rigby wouldn't have his hopes dashed in that department.

You deserve to be happy, Sophie. I hope Jackson's the man for you.'

What was she supposed to say to that? I think he would be, but he doesn't love me..