Alec shook his head, his feelings a cross between admiration and amusement.

Suddenly Royce set his plate aside and lifted the remote control, muting the sound.

Alec turned his attention.

“There’s something you need to know.” Though Royce’s tone was even, his expression was narrowed and guarded.

Alec arched a brow.

“This needs to be kept in the strictest confidence,” Royce warned.

“Everything you tell me is kept in the strictest confidence.” It was a hallmark of Alec’s business.

Royce nodded sharply.

Alec waited, his curiosity growing.

“Right,” said Royce, fingers drumming against the leather arm of the chair. He drew a breath. “Here it is then. We’re being blackmailed.” He paused. “It’s Stephanie.”

“What did she do?” Dope a horse? Fix a competition?

Royce scowled. “She didn’t do anything. She’s the one in the dark, and we’re keeping it that way.”

Right. Stupid conclusion. Alec tried another tactic. “Who’s blackmailing you?”

“I’d rather not say.”

“Okay…” Alec wasn’t sure where to go with that.

“It’s the biggest drain on the cattle ranch’s account.”

At least that explained why Amber thought Alec ought to know.

“How much are we talking about?” he asked.

“A hundred thousand a month.”

“A month?”

Royce’s expression was grim as he nodded.

Alec straightened in his armchair. “How long has this been going on?”

“At least a decade.”

“Excuse me?”

“I know.”

“You’ve spent twelve million dollars keeping a secret from Stephanie?”

Royce rocked to his feet, shoulders square, hands balled.

“Must be one hell of a secret.”

Royce twisted round to glower at Alec.

“Sorry. None of my business,” said Alec.

Still, he couldn’t help sifting through the possibilities in his mind. Was there a shady business deal in their past? Did the family fortune originate from an unsavory source? Gambling? Bootlegging?