Page 48

“Dada. Hi. Hi. Dada.”

“We have to work on your words, lad. I don’t know what babies say, though. What’s another word I should teach you? Keegan is a tough one.” I snort. “In a lot of ways. She’s gorgeous, though, isn’t she?”

He splashes me, soaking my face and eyes.

“I know, I know,” I tell him as I wipe the salt water of the pool off my face. “She’s too good for me. Does it make me a bast—bad man if I want to sneak a glimpse of her in that red bikini?”

He starts to suck his fingers in contemplation, but I can tell it’s only because he doesn’t want to tell me the truth. Yes, it would make me a bastard. She’s helping us, he’s silently saying—and judging—and I need to listen to him.

“I’ve never had a girlfriend before. Fake or otherwise. I’m not the best role model for you, am I?” I spin him around, and he squeals in delight, his arms and legs going like a motor. “I’m working on that, though. I am. I wish you could tell me who your mum is. I wish I knew where she was and if she’s the one behind the press catching on to us. I hate to think that way. I hate thinking that she’s not a good person because she had you, and you’re the best kid in the world and she gave you to me when I’m assuming she couldn’t care for you any longer. But I didn’t know about you, and there’s still so much I don’t know.”

He blows a raspberry at me as if to sayquit it with all the heavy talk, we’re on holiday.

“Fine. You’re right. I’ll—” My phone rings from the side of the pool, and I drag Fen by his floaty with me to retrieve it. Vander. I wince in nervousness before I answer, “Hey.”

“S’up, man,” he replies easily. “How’s it going? How’s the island?”

“Grand, actually. The house is lovely, and I’m in the pool with Fen.”

“Good. I’m glad. Is Keegan there with you?”

“No. She’s on the other side of the island doing some work. Why?”

“I need you to send me a few selfies of you with her and also of the three of you, but make sure you keep your surroundings hidden when you do.”

I bluster out a breath and set my phone to speaker so I don’t have to hold it against my ear.

“Why’s that?”

“Because it’s going to help sell your story that you’re a happy couple and happy family. A happy, stable family enjoying a private vacation. I’m going to have them slip from either Mason’s or Tinsley’s phones so it doesn’t seem like you’re the one doing it. They have to be natural, though. Not posed.”

“What’s all this about?”

“In fifteen minutes or so, you’re going to be receiving a call from your attorney who will inform you that the Department of Child and Family Services is going to be paying you a visit.”

“Buggar!” I curse and throw Fen an apologetic half-smile. “Do we know when they’re planning that?”

“In the next few days. Your lawyer has handled things well, but with how public everything is with you right now and what little is known of Fen or his mother, social services is going above and beyond to dot their Is and cross their Ts. We still don’t know who leaked everything, and nothing is coming up when I search through my usual channels. I’m still looking, though it could be a coincidence.”

“But you don’t think it is.”

He chuckles. “I’m not someone who believes in that sort of thing. From my estimation, everything has an angle and is done intentionally. So I’ll keep looking.”

“Could it be…”

“His mom? Maybe. It would make sense if she’s that sort of person. The problem is, we don’t know. We don’t know her motives for anything or even if she’s still alive. But I will find her. It’s what I do. More than that, do I have your permission to dig into your agent and PR team?”

“Yes, but they didn’t know. I hadn’t told anyone.”

“Still, it can’t hurt for me to look.”

“Right. Sure.” I sigh, feeling winded and jittery all over again. “Thank you, Vander, and thank you for the warning about social services. I’ll have to tell Keegan.” And we’ll have to act like a loving and adoring couple.

“Don’t worry. She’s a pro.”

“Yes. The very best.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that.”