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I nodded and stroked his shoulders. “I know. It’s just hard to face them, knowing that they know I’ve been with another man.”

“You have to move on.”

I kissed him once more and then left, taking the limo back to the Lewis’ house so I could have a quick shower and change my clothes.

When I arrived home, Scott was seated in the back yard, reading the morning paper with a cup of coffee. Jeanne was sleeping in as usual, so I slipped into my room, and then had my shower. I quickly changed into some fresh clothes and then went to the kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee. While I was cutting up an orange, Scott came in and went to get a fresh cup of coffee.

“Morning,” he said and smiled. “Looks like another great day in paradise.”

“Sure does.”

“Do you need a ride or are you walking to work?”

“I’ll walk,” I said and smiled. “I need the exercise. Besides, it’s so nice this morning.”

And that was it. He said nothing about the fact I didn’t come home the previous night. He went back out to his lawn chair and continued to read.

I heaved a sigh of relief and then grabbed my sunglasses and bag and was off, walking the mile or so to the restaurant to do daily cash.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Beckett

After Miranda left, I spent the rest of the day on my laptop, reading over briefs on upcoming projects, sending emails and speaking with my admin assistant about rescheduling all the meetings I had on my calendar.

I spent as much time with Miranda as I could. That night, I went to Oceanside again and sat at the bar while Miranda worked her shift, talking to her about everything and nothing, discovering more things we had in common as well as some things we didn’t have in common.

“So tell me a bit about your father’s side of the family,” she asked while she poured a drink order.

I grimaced and gritted my teeth.

“I don’t really like talking about them,” I said, hoping to ward her off. “They’re not the most law-abiding citizens, if you understand my meaning. Given your background, I doubt you’d approve…”

“Organized crime?” she said lightly, not meeting my eyes. I hoped the possibility wasn’t a deal-breaker. She wasn’t the kind of woman a man wanted to lose before he really even got her all to himself.

“Let’s just say my uncle’s involved in shady dealings in Hell’s Kitchen and leave it at that.”

“There are legitimate businesses there, but say no more,” she said and nodded knowingly while she reorganized her work station. “I have a pretty good idea of what you mean.”

“Hope that doesn’t change things,” I said, watching her face for a reaction.

She closed her eyes and shook her head. “Not at all,” she said and finally turned to me, her eyes meeting mine. “I know it’s possible to escape the influences of your parents, whether good or bad. Take my brother, for example,” she said and I could hear a note of sadness in her voice. “He went the opposite way of my father. If there was a rule? He aimed to break it.”

I nodded in return and relaxed a bit, commiserating with her about having family on the wrong side of the law, wishing I didn’t have my uncle’s skeletons in my family closet, especially considering that Miranda’s family were all law and order types. My uncle was neck-deep in the Irish Mafia and I could only guess how many bodies were buried somewhere in the docks because of him and his fellow thugs. That they were using my father’s business to launder money burned inside of me like a fire that wouldn’t go out. One day, I’d get the business back and then I’d clean it up and make it what my father meant it to be.

“Do you have any days off this week?” I asked, hoping we could spend more than just an evening together, although that would be enough if that was all I could get.

“Tomorrow,” she said. “After I do daily cash, I don’t work at all.”

I sat up straighter. “I just so happen to have the day off, too,” I said with a grin. “Why don’t we pack a lunch and take the bike over to the pier and soak up some rays. You know, last days of summer kind of thing.”

“Sounds fabulous, but maybe we should ride further up the island,” she said, her voice a bit hesitant.

“Sure, anything you want,” I said, wondering why she was hesitating. “It’s just that I like to watch the ships going out and coming back in.”

She made a face. “I know most of the regulars around here. I’d rather go somewhere a bit more private. You understand.”

It was then I did understand. Of course. She didn’t want anyone who knew Dan and his parents to see her with some strange man.