Henry scowled, saying, "Look, kindness ain't winnin' wars and righteousness ain't makin' bank. I'm all about the dough, and if a businessman ain't chasing profit, they're doing it wrong. I hashed this out with Alicia days ago, and she was cool with it."
Memories of the café fiasco made Alicia's scalp prickle. She really couldn't take that again.
Gently, she brushed Louis's hand off, stood, and told Henry, "We need to chat, just you and me."
Henry shot her an indifferent look, "My study. Let's go."
Louis rose, wanting to go with Alicia.
Alicia waved him off, saying, "Don't worry about it."
Louis gave her hand a comforting squeeze, whispering, "If things get ugly, just come out. You don't have to deal with it."
Alicia nodded her agreement.
She and Henry went to the study.
Louis's grandpa, Frank, was working on a sprawling prairie painting.
Spotting Alicia, Frank looked up, grinning warmly, "Alicia? Good to see you!"
Alicia greeted him softly, "Hey, Grandpa."
