“Our income have taken a sudden downward flip,” my father says, glancing at Raphael. “We have been advised that two of our bigger clients decreased their buy orders, which triggered me to research. These clients have had standing orders for over a decade. Altering now is senseless.”

“Uh-huh,” I murmur, sipping my drink. “Who advised you that?”

His face turns purple as he slides the manila folder towards me. “Your uncle Joe.”

I actually really feel Raphael tense beside me.

“Uncle Joe?”

“CFO of the corporate.” He clears his throat. “I did some digging, and the shoppers’ buy orders haven’t modified in any respect. They have been clearly altered on the paperwork, which you’ll see within the folder, however within the system, the orders have been the identical.”

I flip the folder open and look on the paperwork. A sinking feeling takes maintain as I flip via the orders. “Is he… Oh god. Is he embezzling?”

“I wished to consider it wasn’t him. I believed perhaps he’d been fooled by whoever was actually behind this, however…” My father shifts his gaze to Raphael, as if he doesn’t need to say no matter it’s, however after exhaling, he continues. “Since your grandfather’s dying, he’s been performing very unusual. I believe this has been occurring for a while, however he’s elevated his efforts. He’s grow to be very closed off with sharing data, and considerably aggressive.”

“Aggressive in what means?” Rapha asks.

“He threatened me late final night time. He stated I’d higher discover a option to forestall Haven from assuming possession or ‘I might be very sorry.’ These are his phrases.”

“What does that imply?” I ask.

“Haven, I’m right here for 2 causes. I feel Joe is making an attempt to both make the corporate unstable, or he’s plundering out income for his personal achieve. The second motive is…” He pauses, shaking his head with a pained expression on his face. “I’m nervous that he’s not above violence to guard his personal pursuits.”

I gasp. Speak about phrases I by no means anticipated to listen to. “What?”

“Violence in opposition to Haven?” Rapha asks.

My father nods. “Sure. Ali isn’t satisfied, however he does agree that Joe is totally different now. One thing’s modified. I admit none of us are joyful in regards to the possession change, myself included, however exterior of authorized recourse, I might by no means break the regulation or hurt you. I don’t know what’s occurred to him that he would go this far.”

I’m too shocked to talk.

“I’ve dishonored my father,” he continues. “I’ve dishonored my kids and my spouse. I let satisfaction and maybe greed taint my values, however I cannot stand by and permit him to destroy our father’s legacy. I cannot passively settle for my son being threatened.”

“You actually assume he would harm me?” I ask, lastly discovering my voice once more.

“I don’t know, Haven, however a determined man can’t be trusted.”

I flip to Raphael, who’s looking at my father, blinking slowly, his jaw twitching. He seems to be like he may explode right into a violent rage at any minute, and scorching rattling, what a turn-on to really feel so protected. Nobody has ever had my again, however I do know definitely that Rapha does.

“What ought to I do?”

“I’ll deal with it,” Rapha solutions darkly. “Haven is secure with me.”

My father visibly shivers as his eyelids flutter. “Clearbrook,” he says, reciting the suburb identify unprompted. He clears his throat. “Uh, there’s a gated group there referred to as Oak Lanes. Joe lives there.”

I tilt my head, watching the unusual interplay. My father sways barely, his eyes locked on Raphael’s.

“You and your spouse ought to come stick with us till that is over,” Raphael says softly. “We now have visitor flats.”

“I don’t assume—”

“It wasn’t a request. If he’s prepared to hurt Haven, wouldn’t he go for Haven’s weak spot? His mom.”

My mouth drops open. “Oh shit.”

My father’s face goes pale. “Sure. You’re proper.”

“That is what I do, Mr. Samir. It’s essential to observe my recommendation till the menace is eradicated.”

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