Her Three Entrepreneurs [The Hot Millionaires #8] by Zara Chase Page B

figure.
    “I must say I’m surprised that my father had the presence of mind to call you in, Bay,” she said, frowning. “Surprised but pleased, of course. If he was unconscious, how could he have done that?”
    “What makes you think he was unconscious?” Athena asked.
    “Well, you did. You said on the television that he’d been severely attacked, so I just assumed—”
    “He made the arrangement for me to come in before he was attacked,” Bay said. Athena was surprised at his ability to think on his feet and sound so convincing. She shouldn’t have been. Self-made men lived by their wits, didn’t they?
    “Oh, but why did he feel the need?”
    Bay shrugged. “You’ll have to ask him that. All he told me was that he was concerned about security on the farm. Odd things had been happening, apparently.”
    “What odd things?”
    “Well obviously someone had it in for him.”
    “So you don’t think this was just a break-in then?” Molly seemed very agitated now. “Who could have done it?” she asked, not appearing to expect an answer.
    “Unfortunately we couldn’t get here before Mr. Lloyd was attacked,” Bay said, “but at least we can protect Athena.”
    “We?”
    “I have partners.”
    “I still don’t understand why he felt the need for protection.” Molly shook her head. “That doesn’t sound like my independent father.”
    “When did you last see him?” Athena couldn’t resist a little dig.
    “Yes, point taken, but even so—”
    “He’d received some threats,” Bay said vaguely.
    “You’re American.” Molly glared at Bay with open suspicion. “Weren’t the people you were accusing of trying to get Blackridge American, Athena?”
    Athena shrugged. “What’s that got to do with anything?”
    She glowered at nothing in particular. “It’s a strange coincidence.”
    “Right, Athena,” Bay said. “Since we can leave the farm in Molly’s capable hands, we might as well get going.”
    “Okay then, let’s go.” She canted her head and shot an apologetic look Rowan’s way. “Not today,” she said to him, carefully ruffling his ears and avoiding his cut.
    “George and Max don’t know about me being here,” Bay said to Molly. “Not that they’re suspects, but it’s best that only a trusted few know about this arrangement.”
    She nodded. “I won’t say anything. Send your grandfather my love, poppet, and tell him I’ll see him soon.”
    That’ll make him feel a whole lot better.
    “Don’t worry about me,” she said, waving them off. “I shall meditate for an hour. My karma’s all over the place since I heard about the troubles here.”
    “What do you make of her turning up?” Bay asked as he drove Athena’s Jeep away from the farm.
    “I have absolutely no idea.” Athena shuddered. “All I do know is that when Molly turns up, it almost always leads to trouble.”
    “She was suspicious of me and seemed awfully interested to learn who attacked your grandfather.”
    “Well, I guess even she has some finer feelings. Don’t read anything more into it than that. She’s never shown much interest in the farm and has nothing to gain from it if it’s sold.”
    “Well, at least we know where she is now. I prefer my suspects to be in one place.”
    “How can she be a suspect?”
    “No idea,” he said, grimacing. “Yet.”

Chapter Nine
     
    “How’s your grandfather?” Marty asked, sliding into a seat opposite Bay and Athena in the café close to the hospital, where they’d agreed to meet.
    “They’re keeping him in,” she said, “and he’s not happy about it.” She gulped, stirring her coffee so frantically that it slopped over the edge of the mug. “He has a linear skull fracture.”
    “Which is good, as skull fractures go,” Marty assured her. “It’s the least serious type and will fix itself over time.”
    “Yes, but he has a blood clot on his brain, which is what concerns his doctors.”
    “Don’t worry too much, sweetheart.” Marty