Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 154882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
I squeezed past him, going inside. This early and the man was fresh and heavenly from a shower, drowning me in a cloud of cypress and the barest tang of roasted coffee beans. He devastated in a thin sweater and loose black jeans, and my heart thumped as my breasts brushed against his arm, leaning in. “I need to talk to you about something,” I said under my breath. “About last night. It’s important.”
He nodded. “Give me a minute. I’ll be right there.”
Liam shut the door behind me, enclosing himself in a private goodbye with Doctor Hendrix. I told myself this didn’t bother me while I carried Elizabeth to the table. An impressive spread was laid out for her.
“That looks yummy.”
“Peanut butter–banana pancake, fruit, and a unicorn smoothie.” She held up her plate. “Want some?”
“I wouldn’t mind a sip of that smoothie. I’ve always wanted to know what unicorn tastes like.”
“It’s not real unicorn,” she cried, giggling. “Dad blends the strawberries, blueberries, and everything by itself, then he mixes it all together to get the colors.”
“Very clever.” I relaxed and took a seat next to her. Hendrix was right. As long as this sweet little girl had her smile, Tricky would get through this. “So, first things first. What colors are we thinking? Blue mane? Purple, pink, or rainbow?”
“Hmm. Can she be blue with a rainbow horn? My dad’s favorite color is blue.”
“She sure can.”
“—this later.” Liam’s voice filled the room as effectively as his larger-than-life presence, demanding my attention. “Thanks again.”
I got to my feet. “You keep thinking design,” I told Elizabeth. “I need to talk to your dad real quick and then I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
Liam intercepted me on the way to him. “Not here,” he said, curling an arm around my waist. “In my office.”
“I—”
His hold was warm and firm on my hip, leading me away from Tricky, down the hall and to a door on the right. We entered a room that fit the monochrome stereotype down to the glass desk, black laptop, black desk chair, and black bookshelves. Though even in here, Tricky made her mark in the many goofy and adorable photos of her scattered about the place.
“Sit.” He motioned to the, of course, black leather couch. “Can I get you a drink?”
“It’s eight a.m.”
“Which would matter on a regular morning,” he replied, pouring himself a scotch. “But this is not a regular morning.”
“No, it isn’t.” I went to him instead of the couch, placing a comforting hand on his back. “You didn’t sleep a wink last night, did you?”
He turned, concealing his face in shadows. “Is it obvious?”
“No, it’s me, Liam. I’m a parent too, and I haven’t had a full night’s rest since they put Laurel in another woman’s arms. Worrying about our children and drifting off into dreamland aren’t in the same sentence.”
Liam reached behind and took my hand. We didn’t speak.
We didn’t have to.
“She’ll be safe with my parents for the next few days. Perhaps a week.” He released me, moving to the couch. “By then, we’ll fucking know something,” Liam hissed. “We’ll have the son of a bitch and my daughter will be safe at home.”
“And I can tell you where to start. The valet,” I stated. “He wasn’t there when we came out of the restaurant. After the... explosion, people were screaming, rushing away from us and to us. Sirens were going off. It was chaos. But after, during, and before, I didn’t see him anywhere. That’s something, right?”
“Yes, that’s something.” He slammed the glass down, hurrying to his desk. “Calvin was on staff last night. His shift was until closing. He should’ve been exactly where we left him when we came out.” Liam snatched the phone off its cradle and jabbed in a number.
“Juan,” he answered. “Yes, yes, I’m fine. Did you let Calvin leave early yesterday? You didn’t.” Liam met my gaze. “Find him. Bring him to Astoria. He and I are due a discussion.” He paused to listen to the reply, then hung up.
“Astoria?” I asked.
“One of my clubs.”
“Let me guess, one of your properties where you conduct more than one kind of business.”
He gave me a wicked smirk that was so Sunny, I saw the resemblance between them clear as day. “All legitimate, if anyone asks.”
“Of course.” I dropped on the couch. “How is Elizabeth? She seems her usual bright self.”
“She is. We talked about it earlier, and I explained as best I could. She understands that she’s safe and I’ll never let anyone hurt her.”
“We believe that,” I whispered, drawing my legs to my chest. “We believe it when our daddies say everything’s going to be okay—until they stop.”
“I won’t.” Liam claimed the spot next to me. “How is Laurel?”
My smile trembled around the edges. “She’s sweet and soft and perfect. My baby’s crawling now. And she’s got a name for me.”