"Just because I wasn’t around doesn’t mean I didn’t have my own sources of information on you."
"Hmm." I scratch my jaw. "Your source couldn’t possibly be my pretty Head of Human Relations who you seem to be spending a lot of time with, and who may have influenced your decision to accept the project of creating paintings for my offices."
His features pale. "You asshole, and just as I was thinking that perhaps we could have a relationship."
"Relax. Your friend is under my protection. She’s been quite invaluable in helping to find jobs for my men within the Kane Corporation."
"You mean" —his brow furrows— "surely not. She’s—"
"One of the good ones. The daughter of one of my most trusted men, who went to college and got a degree. I employed her legitimately. She was already aware of her father’s role in my syndicate, and she wanted to help legalize the business."
"And you let her."
"It was helpful to have someone like her on my side."
He begins to protest, and I raise my hand. "I promise, she’s in no harm. Quite the opposite. She’s valuable to my business, and I take care of my assets."
"Like you’re going to take care ofher?"
I line up my shot again. "Perhaps." I keep my voice noncommittal.
"This is what I don’t understand. You’ve always gone after what you wanted. As a child, I resented your being away, but as I grew up, some part of me also admired your single-minded focus."
I shoot him a sideways glance. "You had a funny way of showing it."
"Oh, don’t get me wrong, I still resented you for being absent so much, but even I could tell you were successful. And some part of me knew you wanted to make amends. Why else would you install that state-of-the-art studio in the top floor of the house, eh?"
"You noticed?" I murmur.
"Of course, I noticed. I lived there, didn’t I?"
"You never mentioned it."
"Didn’t want you to think because I was grateful, I was forgiving you for everything."
I sink another two balls.
"I forgot how good you are at this," Isaac murmurs.
"I never forgot you and your sister. Even though I was away a lot, and I know it wasn’t easy on your mother, I still remembered every birthday, every Christmas—"
"Sending presents didn’t make up for your being away."
"I may not have been able to attend every PTA meeting, but I always tried to make it to the end-of-year school plays."
"You also missed it more often than not."
"The point is, I tried."
"The point is, it wasn’t enough. Mom tried her best, but she was too busy with her social life. I mean, she was around, but not really."
"It’s my fault. I should have incentivized her more so she felt compelled to be part of your lives. I should have made her more accountable."
"That’s all you have to say?" Isaac bursts out. "She wasn’t an employee."
"She was certainly better paid than my men, and more than many of my heads of departments.”
"Taking care of a family is not like running a company."