Six

"Father," Kane answered the call, already picturing the smile of satisfaction on his father's face. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Kane, it's good to hear your voice. I trust you've settled in nicely," his father's hoarse voice sounded exactly as it had always been; confident and strong.

"I'm sure Gladys has already beat me to it and told you all about my settling in," he responded sarcastically, referring to the eternally loyal housekeeper. "Are we really going to pretend to have this conversation?"

Thompson King laughed out. "I'll tell you what, that woman is good at her job. I'm sure you know it too. But, it's not Gladys I want to talk about. I'll take it you've agreed to our deal, now that you've come back home."

Thompson was a man who had made a name for himself and was respected in the business industry. He was the driving force behind oil exports and imports. Things always went his way and he hardly had to beg. However, in that moment, he sounded every bit desperate —the des