Chapter 34

"I think we can make that happen." Josiah said formally nodding his head to George once.

"Great! That is exactly what I had hoped to hear!" George said happily clapping his hand on the table, causing a loud thump to echo in the room, much to Josiah's annoyance. "We should have a party to celebrate our new friendship!" George said grinning at Josiah.

Internally Josiah groaned, it was exactly what he'd hoped to avoid but there was no polite way to refuse the offer. But he could control the situation a bit by insisting it be a party with just the men in the family for the time being. "Great. We can have the guys all get together here and drink and have a good time." Josiah offered instantly and smiled as if he didn't see the annoyance in George's eyes at such a casual affair that wouldn't require the attendance of the wives.

"That would be great. This weekend, perhaps?" George asked as he stood and held out his hand to shake Josiah's hand.

"Saturday, say eight. We'll have some entertainment here for the guys." Josiah assured. He was annoyed he had to offer Saturday night since he wanted to have the welcome home party that night but Friday would be an insult to George and he knew that not giving George what he wanted with a formal family party would be as far as he could push him.

"That sounds great!" George said, though the enthusiasm in his voice seemed to have dimmed a little.

The next several minutes the new 'friends' spent talking about Josiah's honeymoon and meaningless things to make conversation. Any time George tried to steer the conversation near anything relating to a welcome home party, Josiah immediately changed the topic. Josiah's suspicions were confirmed from the fact of how hard George was trying to back him into a corner that would force Josiah to introduce his new wife to him. George wasn't there to make friends, he was there to get eyes on Rossalyn so he would know what she looked like. He was glad when George finally gave it up and said his goodbyes and headed out. Josiah posted several of his men around the club to make sure everyone left and didn't pull off into any parking lots near them.

"We're going to have to be very cautious of that man." Brad said, once they were alone in the office.

"I know. He isn't interested in making friends. He wants my wife. I just wonder why." Josiah said angrily. "Form a barrier between the door and the SUV. I don't want anyone to be able to see her coming out."

"On it." Brad said as they left the room and went downstairs to prepare to leave.

Brad separated to get the men positioned for Rossalyn's exit while Josiah went to retrieve Rossalyn. "About time." She huffed in frustration when Josiah opened the curtain to find her pacing the room in irritation.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting so long. I couldn't tell him you were waiting for me without being forced to introduce you. We're ready to go, lets go." Josiah said with a sigh. "I was right about the meeting. He's wanting access to you for some reason. I don't know why but I'm going to do everything in my power to avoid it for as long as possible."

"So you didn't make the truce?" Rossalyn asked raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, no. I made the truce. But I have managed to make it where when we have our 'celebration', as he calls it, it is just our men. I want to leave the wives out of it for as long as possible. As I said, I'm convinced he is doing this just so he can get to you. Until I can get more information and find out exactly what he is planning, I'm not planning on allowing him to succeed in getting anywhere near you." Josiah said firmly.

Rossalyn was ushered from the club through the same line of men that blocked her from view on all sides, the same as she had entered. Her two bodyguards led the way and followed close behind her, acting as literal shields to anything or one that would try to pop out at her. She'd never felt so protected, or small, in her entire life. Once they were safely in the SUV and doors closed the men dispersed and they were able to take off toward the house. She glanced over at Josiah periodically, but he seemed lost in contemplation, so she let him alone with his thoughts.

When they arrived at their house, Josiah walked her inside then turned to her apologetically, "I know we just got back from the honeymoon, but I have to get some work done."

"It's fine. I'm going to be in the entertainment room when you're free." She said and gave him a reassuring smile.

He nodded and headed upstairs followed by Brad and James and a few other men. Rossalyn headed off toward the entertainment room but was quickly headed off by Abigail. She stopped when Abigail came up to her calling her name and waited for her to speak politely.

"Mrs. Roja! I'm glad I caught you!" Abigail said smiling at her, "Mary wanted to meet with you to go over some things. Do you have time?"

"Yes, sure. Uh, have her meet me in the dining room we can sit down there." Rossalyn said, after thinking for a moment of where a good place to meet with the head housekeeper would be since she didn't have an office of her own.

"Yes, ma'am. I'll let her know you'll be in there." Abigail said then headed off towards the kitchen where she was sure Mary was currently located.

Rossalyn sighed to herself and brooded about the honeymoon being well and truly over as she made her way to the dining room to meet with the house keeper. Josiah had told her that her duties would include managing all the houses that he owned and she supposed now that they were back, that expectation would be taking affect.

Mary came into the dining room a few minutes later carrying a few binders with her and sat them down on the dining room table then greeted Rossalyn respectfully before taking the seat Rossalyn indicated.

"How can I help you?" Rossalyn asked politely as Mary separated the four binders she had put on the table.

"I was told that I needed to get with you about the running of the estates, ma'am, now that you're back from your honeymoon." Mary said and looked down at the binders once again as if trying to decide where to start.

Yep, Rossalyn thought to herself, the honeymoon's over. Atleast she wouldn't be quite so bored if her wifely duties were to start already.