Taming of the beast - Completed.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Ever since Riyad had reconnected to his family, the pressure had increased. The demand on his time tenfold, working behind the scenes. So many issues he had to plug up, loopholes that were draining the resources. Once he set everything up, it would be a lot easier and smoother to run, however, it was taking so much time putting into action.

The problem hadn't been so simple. He had found the culprit, skimming off the top to feed a horse racing habit that had gotten out of control. Not wanting his family to find out how much he was indebted for and kept on growing with new funding. Now shut down and receiving help, saving his family's face. Once sorted, he will keep his job but somewhere else away from resources to money.

Also exposed how vulnerable they were. It had been done so easily and had skills on how to hide what he was doing. A desperate man, who didn't know how else to deal with his problems. He needed help not done for treason that was agreed upon by the family.

Not once had Callie complained. She saw to all his needs, with a constant supply of coffee and pastries to die for. No wonder she had picked Belle herself and they spent a lot of time together, having private cooking lessons when she wasn't changing Vixen's Manor into a home.

The bedroom toned down, not as dark and gloomy as she had said. He had liked the darkness to lose himself. She was his sunshine and light changing the room that was far too bright, now sultrier with deep reds and with the influence of his homeland she had taken to.

Dropping his pen, Riyad stretched lazily. He needed a break and some loving. Callie had said something about being in the kitchen making some decadent desserts for tonight that took hours to make. She had passed that on with the morning coffee, a kiss on his cheek, and waltzed out of their office/study.

He could work in a big office in London, but he preferred this, having conferences online. Although did attended more functions with Callie at his side, always doing him proudly. Outshone every other woman with her natural beauty. She dressed for them, not anyone else though wore his jewellery at his insistence. However, she was happiest at home, surrounded by those who love her and her foxes. They actually come running to her when she sat down and played with them.

He teased her, saying it's the treats she brings. She would laugh, saying he was jealous. And he was. They were warier of him. She had said reserved in awe of his greatness. She made him feel like he could leap ten-foot walls in one bound.

Leaving their office/study, he charged downstairs, passing Charles on the way, who pointed towards the kitchen. "I know," he smiled. That was another thing he smiled, all the time. There were laughter and joy in these walls that were opening up, light taking over the darkness.

"Be warned," Emily said as he passed her from leaving the kitchen. Forewarned, he removed his jacket and handed it over to Emily, then rolled up his sleeves. As he entered, they blasted him by some loud rock group, the two girls singing into wooden spoons. Dishes everywhere and used, flour bombed that was the way he would describe the benches and cooks by the amount of on their faces and hair.

Unnoticed as usual, he crossed over and hit pause on the portable iPod speakers to have Callie in full voice, off-key and screeching. Explains the loud music, drowning her out. He crossed his arms and leaned against the bench as they swung around on him, wide-open eyes. Then both giggled helplessly. Some things never change, thank goodness.

"I just hope you are not cooking soufflé or it would be flat as a pancake with all this racket."

"Sacrébleu!" Callie slapped her floured hands onto her cheeks, adding more.

He arched a brow at Belle. "Teaching her French again?"

Belle shrugged. "I don't know Arabic, that's your job."