Behind the Fear.

Well, Hayes, you said that. Emily wished she could breathe a sigh of relief, but the serious face of the boss's grandfather would not allow her to do so.

The man looked at the girl in silence for about a minute. He rested his elbows on the table, clasped his fingers and buried his face in them. Only his eyes, gray like her Justin's, but without a hint of warmth, were visible from his tightly pressed palms together.

"I refuse," he replied, after long consideration.

Emily saw that he really considered her words, so his abrupt refusal, although upsetting the girl, did not interfere with her determination.

After all, she had a serious trump card up her sleeve.