Read Johnson Family 2: Perfect for Free Online Page B

married. Consider it a loan if it’ll make you feel better.”
    Daniella looked at her glass on the table. “As much as I appreciate what you’re offering,” she said carefully, “I can’t let you do that. This is my problem, not yours, and I’ll find a way to deal with my husband. Fighting him is not as easy as you think. He has unlimited resources.”
    “He’s not a god, Daniella.”
    “I know.” Not a god, but certainly godlike in the extent of the power and funds available to him.
    Roland’s jaw hardened. “He’s not going to change unless you play hard ball.”
    “You think I haven’t tried?” Daniella asked, frustration lending an edge to her voice. “What makes you think you can defeat him? He has way more money than you or I, and he’s not afraid to spend it. You know all about that, don’t you?”
    An unrecognizable expression flitted across Roland’s face. “Yes, I do. So that’s it, he’s filthy rich and therefore unstoppable. Whereas I’m…what? A pauper compared to him?”
    “I wasn’t comparing you to him,” Daniella said. She placed a hand on his arm, regretting her remark. “He’s unstoppable, Roland. He has a team of attorneys and lots of money to spend on them.” The conversation was making her lose her appetite.
    “ Daniella ?” Her name came as an incredulous query from off to her left. The familiar voice sent the hairs on the back of her neck vertical. She looked up and into the frowning face of her brother-in-law, Trenton Johnson, Cyrus’s youngest brother. “What are you doing here?” His green-eyed gaze moved from the bottle of champagne chilling in the bucket to her hand still resting on Roland’s arm. His frown deepened.
    “I’m having dinner,” she said. She left her hand in place in a display of impudence. “What are you doing here?”
    “Business dinner,” he replied.
    Her eyes darted in the general direction of where she’d heard the group of men laughing. Was Cyrus with him? Apprehension skittered down her spine.
    Roland cleared his throat, which drew Trenton’s attention to him. Roland stood and extended his hand, introducing himself.
    Trenton shook the proffered hand. “Trenton Johnson, Daniella’s brother-in-law .” Trenton’s emphasis on the relationship was unmistakable and made her feel guilty. But she hadn’t done anything wrong. They were simply two friends having dinner.
    “Nice to meet you, Trenton,” Roland said.
    “I’ll let you get back to your meal.” Trenton was not smiling at all, unusual since he had a gregarious personality, particularly when compared to his oldest sibling. “I’ll let Cyrus know I saw you.”
    Their eyes remained on each other. She could tell he knew she wanted to know if Cyrus was with him.
    “Do that,” she said with more chutzpah than she felt.
    One eyebrow lifted a fraction, but he didn’t say anything else before walking away.
    “Daniella,” Roland said, “he can’t hurt you if you don’t let him.”
    Easy for you to say , she thought.
    Minutes later, she saw the businessmen leaving, still engaged in a vigorous conversation, laughing as they exited. Trenton was among them, but he didn’t turn in her direction, as if he didn’t even know she was there. She drained her glass of champagne, her eyes lingering at the end of their short line of bodies. Despite looking forward to the delicious food earlier, she didn’t know if she could touch the lamb stew and couscous when they arrived. Her stomach had tangled into a knotted bundle. Would Cyrus make an appearance?
    A few more minutes passed and still no Cyrus. A puzzling ache filled her chest, which made no sense, since she didn’t actually want to see him…did she?
    Finally she accepted he wasn’t there and relaxed. No doubt Trenton would inform him he’d seen her and Roland together, but at least she didn’t have to worry about a confrontation tonight.
    She was laughing at one of Roland’s comments when, as if he’d been conjured out